Carpenter charged with brutal attack

A 36-year-old carpenter has appeared in court accused of attacking Sydney teenager Lauren Huxley who was left to die in her burning home.

Robert Black Farmer, who lives in the same suburb as Huxley, was refused bail.

Huxley, 18, remains in hospital after the attack three weeks ago. She had been beaten unconscious, tied up and soaked in petrol before her attacker allegedly set the house on fire.