A Chessington man has denied raping and trying to kill a pensioner in her own home.

Robert John Richards, 22, of Pear Tree Close, Chessington, appeared at Kingston Crown Court charged with attempted rape, rape and attempted murder this morning.

He was remanded in custody until the trial which is due to begin on Tuesday, April 22.

Mr Richards, who has a tattoo on his neck, was dressed in a grey sweatshirt with the collar of a burgundy polo shirt sticking out.

He spoke only to enter his not guilty pleas to all three charges.

The trial is expected to last for 10 days.

Police were called to an address in Chessington in the early hours of October 23 last year following reports of a burglary and rape of a woman in her 70s.

A woman was taken to hospital for 'non-life threatening injuries' and later underwent surgery.