A COUNCILLOR has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of his wife.

Joseph O'Riordan, 73, is accused of trying to kill wife Amanda by stabbing the 47-year-old.

The Polegate Town councillor did not enter a plea when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court this morning.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on November 6.

Mrs O'Riordan is still in intensive care after being found with stab wounds at the couple's home in Guardian Court, Brookside Avenue, Polegate on Wednesday (October 22) night.

She had been stabbed six times, including in the lungs.

Police and ambulances were called to the addresss shortly before 10pm.

Mrs O'Riordan is the live-in manager of Guardian Court, a retirement development for the over-60s run by Anchor.

Her husband is also the president of the Polegate branch of the Royal British Legion.

Mr O'Riordan spoke only to confirm his name and address in court today.