Blackpool woman stabbed in face

The 47-year-old woman was found by a neighbour covered in blood in the front garden of a property next door to her home in Grange Park on Saturday.

Police were called to Dinmore Avenue, at around 1am to reports a woman had allegedly been stabbed.

The injured woman was today in a serious but stable condition at Royal Preston Hospital.

A man has been charged with trying to kill her.

Det Insp Gareth Willis, of Blackpool CID, said: “This woman has suffered a number of wounds to her head, neck and body. She has suffered very serious injuries and is lucky to be alive.

“We are treating it as attempted murder. I would appeal to anyone who has any information to get in touch.”

Neighbours today described the scene.

Katrina Newton, of Dinmore Avenue, said she heard screaming across the road from her home in the early hours of Saturday.

The 46-year-old said: “It was about 1am – I was still watching television and heard shouting and screaming outside. I first thought it better not be some kids messing about. My conscience pricked and I thought if it was me screaming it would be awful if no-one came to help.

“When I looked over the road a neighbour was with the woman. I opened my door and dashed over to help.

“She was covered in blood from head to toe. It was dark but we could see she was bleeding heavily.

“I did not think she was going to survive. By the way the paramedics were talking they did not think her chances were good.”

Ms Newton said she helped the woman to her doorstep and called the police.

An ambulance crew arrived to take the woman to hospital while police forensic teams were called in to begin their investigation.

Ms Newton added: “Nothing has ever happened like this here before. We have incidents on Grange Park but this is a quiet area.

“This is so unexpected. It is horrific, it really is. I just hope the woman is OK.”

Garth Bucknill, 65, who lives on Dinmore Avenue, said he was alerted to the alleged incident after his pet dog started barking.

He said: “I went to bed around midnight and heard some shouting. I got up briefly and went back to bed.

“A few minutes later police turned up. There must have been three vans and three cars as well as an ambulance.

“It was quite frantic with lots of sirens. It is such a shame. You just do not expect it to happen. It is always pretty quiet around here.”

Neighbour Steve McKeeg, 49, said: “I got up around 3.45am and could see the police outside.

“I could see crime investigation tents in the street – there was one in the road and another directly outside the woman’s house. It is horrible to see.”

John Gowens, 58, also of Dinmore Avenue, added: “It is a shock. It is frightening.

“I have lived here eight or nine years. This part of Grange Park is really good, quite a pleasant area.

“It is good to see the police down here doing a good job.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Blackpool Police on 101, quoting log number 0053 of January 3.

Andrew Tuley, 43, of Draycot Avenue, Grange Park, has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.

He was due to appear before Blackpool Magistrates’ Court today.