A computer programmer has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after an alleged far-right terrorist attack on an Eritrean asylum seeker at a hotel near Worcester. 

The 25-year-old victim was rushed to hospital after he was stabbed twice in the chest in the cafeteria of the Pear Tree Inn and Country Hotel in Smite, near Worcester.

The hotel had been used to house migrants for three years and the victim was said to be a guest.

He was allegedly asked where he was from before he was attacked.

Callum Ulysses Parslow, aged 31, was arrested on a nearby tow path of the Worcester and Birmingham canal path after allegedly throwing a pocket knife to the ground.

Counter-Terrorism Policing West Midlands were called in to lead the investigation due to the circumstances surrounding the attack and it has now been declared a terrorist incident.

The victim's injuries are not said to be life-threatening.

Parslow, originally from Hereford, worked as a computer programmer for an automotive diecast manufacturer in Worcester, according to an online profile.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today under the terrorism protocol, charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article, during the attack on April 2.

Dressed in a grey prison-issue tracksuit, and flanked by detectives, he spoke only to confirm his name and enter a not guilty plea to the knife charge.

Emma Harraway, prosecuting, told the court: "The defendant attended the Pear Tree Hotel and stabbed the victim twice in the heart area and also caused an injury to the victim's hands.

"He was subsequently arrested on the canal path with a bladed article used in the attack and £800 in cash."

Parslow was said to have expressed neo-Nazi and anti-immigration views online and Ms Harraway said there was "strong evidence that the attack was carried out to intimidate a section of the public - namely asylum seekers and those providing accommodation to asylum seekers."

District Judge Tan Ikram remanded Parslow in custody to appear on the terrorism list at the Old Bailey later this month.

Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills of West Mercia Police, said: “This was a truly shocking incident and my thoughts continue to be with the victim as he recovers from his injuries. 

“We understand the details of this charge may be alarming to the community, but we can reassure you that there isn't believed to be any wider risk to the public. 

“The local policing team from West Mercia Police will remain visible in the area for your reassurance.”