Australian on axe-murder charges

A 69-year-old Australian man suspected of hacking his wife and two grandchildren to death with an axe in the family home has appeared in court.

John Walsh has been charged with murder over the attack, which took place in Cowra, New South Wales.

He was also charged with the attempted murder of his 31-year-old daughter, who suffered a serious head injury.

Mr Walsh did not enter a plea. He was remanded in custody and will appear in court again next Monday.

Mr Walsh's daughter, police officer Shelley Walsh, is the mother of the two children, who were aged five and seven.

She reportedly suffered a fractured skull in the incident, but her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Ms Walsh managed to flee her attacker to a neighbour's house, who then raised the alarm.

The ambulance service discovered the bodies at the house at about 1400 local time (0400 GMT) on Monday.

Mr Walsh is expected to appear via video link at a local court in the town of Wagga Wagga next Monday.