A MAN was due to appear before Bolton magistrates on an attempted murder charge today after a machete attack on a woman last weekend. The 28-year-old man was held in custody at Astley Bridge Police Station overnight followed a dawn raid by detectives yesterday.

The arrest was made by a police team probing a machete attack on a 31-year-old woman in Union Road, Tonge Moor, last Sunday. The woman, who has not been identified, was attacked as she was buying drugs from a dealer.

The terrified woman suffered horrific injuries including two skull fractures. One blow nearly severed her elbows and her fingers were only saved by the skill of surgeons.

She is still detained in hospital where she has been under police guard. Police inquiries into the attack are still continuing.

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