Man 'tried to kill' pregnant ex-partner

A Queensland man has been charged with a sickening attack on his pregnant former partner in front of two young children.

The 27-year-old is accused of kicking the 35-year-old woman in the stomach and wrapping a drawstring around her neck during a home invasion in Brisbane.

He appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with attempted murder, attempted unlawful assault of a pregnant female and entering a dwelling with intent.

Police allege the accused escaped from the psychiatric hospital ward he was staying in and attacked his former girlfriend in her home at Carina Heights, in Brisbane's southeast, on Tuesday.

The man is accused of throwing her to the floor, kicking her in the stomach, grabbing her in a chokehold and wrapping a piece of drawstring around her neck.

He allegedly ignored her pleas to stop and said words to the effect of "if I can't have you then no one else is going to".

Police say two of the woman's three young children witnessed the attack.

The man allegedly fled the scene and was arrested later that day.

He made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to appear in court again on April 28.