Barefoot and dressed in a dark green tracksuit, Mathew Welch appeared in Wollongong Local Court yesterday, charged with attempting to murder the couple, both aged 83.

The 47-year-old, who had no fixed address, is accused of assaulting his mother and father at their Mount Pleasant home some time before 6am on Saturday.

Welch, who was nursing a heavily bandaged right arm yesterday, did not apply for bail and will reappear in Wollongong Local Court by video-link on Wednesday.

He is facing two counts of maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.

Police were called to a Rose Parade address just after 6am on Saturday in response to an alleged domestic incident.

Officers found a woman unconscious with serious head wounds. Her husband was found with head and leg injuries.

They are believed to be Balgownie solicitor Peter Welch and wife Desley.

The pair were rushed to Wollongong Hospital. The woman remained in a critical but stable condition last night. The man was in a stable condition yesterday.

The couple’s son was arrested at the hospital a short time later, police have revealed.

It is alleged he also assaulted two officers during the arrest.

Stunned neighbours watched on as their typically peaceful cul-de-sac filled with police, State Emergency Service and Fire and Rescue NSW crews on Saturday.

They remained on the scene well into the evening.

Police guards remain at the scene this morning.