A MAN who allegedly attacked two Australian tourists in Morocco with a machete appeared in court yesterday, the MAP state news agency said. The tourists are recovering well after Wednesday's attack, MAP said. Melbourne pharmacist John Parkinson had 40 stitches to several wounds, while Newcastle woman Diana Knox has a broken arm and a slash wound. The attack occurred at the Sofitel Hotel in Marrakesh where Mr Parkinson and Ms Knox were visiting with a 190-strong study tour group, plus partners, from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Several group members were at the hotel's pool when a man, said to be a disgruntled former hotel employee with a history of mental illness, jumped a wall and began slashing at people with two machetes, one in each hand. Mr Parkinson was cut on the head, stomach and one of his wrists. Hotel staff overpowered the man, MAP said.
A Marrakesh judge ordered the man to remain in police custody and have a psychiatric examination, the agency said. The man, whose name has not been released, had brain surgery in 2006 after an accident and has since suffered mental problems, the agency said.