A man charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a five-year-old girl outside her home in Ballarat, in Victoria’s west, has been remanded in custody.

The girl was stabbed multiple times in the attack outside an apartment block on Learmonth Road in Mitchell Park on Sunday afternoon.

She was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but is now in a stable condition.

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Ty Ranger, from Wendouree, was charged with attempted murder, intentionally causing serious injury, false imprisonment, child stealing and assault over the incident.

The 23-year-old appeared under police guard on Monday afternoon in the Ballarat Magistrates Court for a short filing hearing.

His lawyer, Mike Wardell, told the judge Ranger, who has cerebral palsy, had a “wealth of vulnerabilities” due to his age and appearance.

The court heard that it was Ranger’s first time in custody.

Ranger has been outspoken in the Ballarat community about the need for better disability support services in the area.

He had previously talked about his decision to move to Victoria from Western Australia because it seemed the best location for support.

No application for bail was made and he is due to reappear in February.