An elderly man faces spending years in jail after admitting trying to kill a manager at his retirement home.

Fred Butcher pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Mina Turner during a brief hearing at Maidstone Crown Court today.

The 79-year-old widower struck the victim on the back of the head with the blunt end of a cleaver and caused her other serious injuries at Hengist Court in Marsham Street on January 26.

Mrs Turner, 59, was left with wounds to her abdomen, a perforated bowel and liver damage.

She also had fractured bones and permanent tendon damage to the wrist of her “dominant” hand.

Prosecutor Peter Forbes said Mrs Turner had recently been discharged from hospital and a victim statement would be sought from her.

It was a planned attack, he said, and there was long-term physical an psychological harm.

“There is permanent scarring and permanent disability to her wrist,” said Mr Forbes.

It was not yet known, he added, whether the victim wished to be present for the sentencing hearing on June 2.

Judge Philip Statman agreed to adjourn for a psychiatric report at the request of Butcher’s lawyer Danny Moore.

“Diminished responsibility is not a defence to attempted murder,” said Mr Moore. “There was a very recent bereavement. The defendant lost his wife a few weeks before. Something has gone wrong, hasn’t it?”

It is understood Butcher's wife died two years ago.

The judge agreed: “Something has triggered this incident. I will order a psychiatric report.”

He told Butcher, who has no previous convictions: “One thing that can be said today is you have had the good sense to plead guilty at an early opportunity in these proceedings.

“That is an important feature I will need to consider in your favour when mitigation is advanced on the next occasion on your behalf.

“There is a lot more information I need to find out about you. A psychiatric report will deal with the background and events which led up to the commission of this offence.”

Judge Statman warned: “You will appreciate I am giving no indication today as to the length of the inevitable custodial sentence in your case.”

Butcher was remanded in custody.

Detective Inspector Tristan Kluibenschadl said: "This was an entirely unprovoked and extremely violent attack on a woman who was simply trying to do her job.

"It would appear Butcher harboured resentment towards his victim, over some trivial matters at the home.

"Thankfully she is now slowly recovering after being hospitalised for a number of weeks.

"However, this brutal attack will no doubt have a profound impact on the rest of her life, both physically and mentally.

"It has also caused considerable distress and fear to the many elderly and vulnerable people, who were within a short distance of Butcher as the attack was taking place."