A FORMER mayor of Winchester accused of attempting to murder a 92-year-old woman has made his first appearance at Winchester Crown Court.

David McLean, 71, of Morley Drive, Bishop's Waltham, is charged with the offence, which took place from October 5 to October 8 in Chase Grove, Waltham Chase. 

Police were called to the address on October 7 last year as part of an investigation into the death of Margaret McLean, 92.

READ MORE: Former mayor charged with attempted murder

The former Conservative city councillor made his first crown court appearance at a 20-minute plea and trial preparation on the morning of Wednesday, August 30.

Judge Angela Morris, the Recorder of Winchester, adjourned the case for a further hearing on Tuesday, October 31 when McLean will be asked to plead.

A postmortem has been ordered by the judge to be completed within the next three weeks and a provisional trial date has been set for Monday, April 29 2024.

In the meantime, the former mayor remains on conditional bail to live at his address in Morley Drive.