A MAN appeared in court yesterday accused of trying to kill a woman by repeatedly stabbing her at her County Durham home.

Dean Richard Lovell, 35, is charged with attempted murder following the incident at a house in Bowburn, near Durham, on Thursday.

A woman in her 30s was found with stab wounds at the premises in Prince Charles Avenue after police were alerted, shortly after 9.30am. A knife was recovered from the house.

The woman was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham, where she was treated for injuries, including a suspected punctured lung.

Police said she was in a stable condition last night, but is expected to remain in hospital for several more days.

Mr Lovell, of no fixed abode, was arrested later on Thursday in Durham city centre.

He was remanded in custody by North Durham magistrates, sitting at Peterlee, yesterday.

The case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court, where Mr Lovell will appear at a preliminary hearing, on Thursday.