Daniel Mihai Popescu, 28, from Merthyr, was charged on Wednesday afternoon.

South Wales Police were called shortly before 9.10am on Tuesday to reports a woman had been stabbed on Moy Road, Aberfan.

The 29-year-old woman who is believed to be pregnant was taken to hospital for treatment but has since been discharged.

The suspect left the scene and local schools and nurseries were placed under lockdown for several hours as a precautionary measure.

Popescu, who officers say is known to the victim, named in court as Andreea Pontili, appeared in front of Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed additional charges of stalking and intimidating a witness had been brought against him.

He did not enter a plea.

District Judge Neale Thomas told Popescu, of no fixed abode, via a translator, that the case would now go to crown court.

One of the charges - namely attempted murder - can only be heard at crown court, he said.

The court heard the charge of stalking included allegedly recording the victim before the defendant "placed it on TikTok".

It was also heard Popescu "sat outside her address" and "followed her to places".

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No application was made for the defendant to be granted bail.

"This is not a suitable case for bail, conditional or otherwise, because there is a substantial risk that if I were to grant you bail you would commit further offences," Judge Thomas told the court.

He was remanded in custody and the next hearing will take place on 4 January at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.