A man has appeared in court charged with attempting to murder an occupational therapist at a unit in the grounds of Ipswich Hospital.

Mattheus Thorpe, from Ipswich, did not enter a plea to the charge when he made his first appearance before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

During the five-minute hearing the bearded 28-year-old spoke only to confirm his details and to say that he understood he was being remanded back into custody.

Thorpe, who was wearing a white t-shirt under a black-bodied US-style varsity jacket with orange sleeves, is alleged to have attempted to murder Hayley Simmons.

The accusation relates to December 5 last year. The alleged incident took place at around 3.30pm in a unit located on the grounds of the Heath Road hospital

Prosecutor Wayne Ablett made an application for Thorpe to be detained in custody. Nicola Pope, representing Thorpe, did not oppose the application.

Thorpe is alleged to have attacked Hayley Simmons, a senior occupational therapist, while they were in a room.

He is accused of trying to strangle her.

Due to the seriousness of the charge the magistrates had no option but to send the case to Ipswich Crown Court. Andrew Wade, the chairman of the bench, told Thorpe: “This matter is now going to the crown court. You will be dealt with there on April 21.

“In the meantime you will be remanded into custody.”

Thorpe will remain in detention in Norwich until his next court appearance.

He was arrested on December 12 and questioned by detectives from Ipswich CID.

Thorpe was released on bail, pending further enquiries, before subsequently being summonsed to court on the attempted murder charge.