A MAN charged with attempting to murder a 78-year-old tourist outside York Minster has today appeared before court.

Paul Knipe, of Spring Hill, Tadcaster, appeared before York Magistrates Court this afternoon over the attack on Lyle Thole, a South African who was holidaying in the city.

Knipe is alleged to have hit Mr Thole over the head with a stone in Minster Court at about 8.30pm on Friday as the pensioner was taking a sightseeing walk.

He needed 30 stitches to a serious head wound at York Hospital but has since been discharged.

Knipe was later arrested in the Deans Park area.

The defendant, dressed in a dark blue t-shirt, did not speak in the dock – only nodded to confirm his name, age and address.

He will appear before York Crown Court next Monday.