A WOMAN beaten unconscious after going to the rescue of her stabbed daughter is today fighting for her life.

Kathleen Malvern has suffered a relapse and is dangerously ill following the attack by her son-in-law on Tuesday.

Kathleen, aged 57, from Swinton suffered massive internal injuries, head wounds and fractures to her legs and arms.

She is under police guard with her daughter, Susan Jones, 33, at Hope Hospital.

Her son in law Graham Jones is being urged to give himself "for the sake of his three children" who witnessed the horror at the family home at Hindburn Drive, Mosley Common, Boothstown. Detectives fear the 39-year-old, who went on the run, may be considering killing himself.

His sister, Angela Ross who shared a house with Graham Jones in Stevenage has made a heartfelt appeal through the BEN: "We don't know if he is alive or dead. No-one has seen him for three days and we are very worried. I know what he has done is wrong but we realise he is ill and I will give him support.

"It is his son's eight birthday next week and his children are missing him."

Police sniffer dogs are being used today to search the area near Leigh's Pennington Flash after his car was found abandoned.

He was last seen at the nature reserve on Wednesday at 9.30am.

Det Chief Insp Kenny Caldwell said: "We are appealing for Mr Jones to contact police immediately. His children are asking questions which we cannot answer and if he wants to get a message to them, then he should give himself up.

"We are very concerned that he will harm himself."

Mr Jones' three children, a boy aged seven and two girls, aged six and four, are undergoing counselling.

Police are also today interviewing Susan Jones who is today "comfortable".

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