Arrest follows incident in which a woman sustained serious head injuries
Councillor Douglas Hellier Laing, 67, called police to a property at Clifford Street in Chudleigh on Sunday evening.
Police say a woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Magistrates heard on Tuesday how she'd been hit with a wooden instrument.
Mr Hellier Laing's been remanded in custody and will appear at the end of November at Exeter Crown Court.
He hasn't indicated how he will plead.
He continues to be a councillor, taking the lead for economy and tourism on Teignbridge District Council.
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