A PENSIONER has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of his elderly mother.
Ron Barham, 73, of Three Acre Drive in Barton-on-Sea, is accused of trying to smother his mother, 94-year-old Elsie Barham, at the Quaker House Residential Home in Barton Court Road, New Milton, on Thursday March 7.
He appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday morning for a preliminary hearing, but did not enter a plea.
Barham previously appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court for committal on Saturday March 9.
No bail application was made.
His barrister Jonathan Simpson told the court Barham, who is part of an “intelligent and close family”, may have mental health issues, including the onset of dementia.
Barham was remanded in custody until the next hearing on April 18.
The trial is expected to take place over eight days from September 4.
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