A 41-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court today charged with the attempted murder of a woman from Oswaldtwistle.

Gary Oldham, of St Paul’s Court, Oswaldtwistle, was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court charged with attempted murder and possessing a knife in a public place. He will appear there on November 2.

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During the brief hearing at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court, Oldham spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

Gareth Price, defending, did not apply for bail.

At around 4pm on Tuesday, armed police were called to a terrace house on Havelock Street, Oswaldtwistle, where a woman, named locally as Amy Newton, 26, was found to have been stabbed at least twice.

Police said three children were in the house at the time. She suffered stab wounds to her abdomen and shoulder caused by a knife, according to police.

Police would not say how many of the children in the house were Miss Newton’s, but they did say they were not all hers.

Miss Newton, a former pupil at Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School in Oswaldtwistle, was taken by ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital with non life-threatening injuries and police said her condition was stable yesterday.

Armed police were sent to the scene, although they were keen to point out that no gun was drawn. The police helicopter also attended.

Residents and councillors have spoken of their shock at the incident.

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, Tory councillor for the St Andrews ward, said: “There is a great deal of shock around the place about what has gone on.

“Whenever something like this happens it’s of great concern but even more so when it happens more close to home. My thoughts are with the victim and her family.”

One resident who lives nearby but who asked not to be named, said: “I saw them take her into the ambulance. I wasn’t expecting to see police and ambulance in the area. When the sirens came everyone came out.”

Local resident Tommy Henderson said: “I was stood on the street when all hell broke loose. Four or five police cars came flying up the road and there were around three police officers with guns.

“The police were going into houses.”

Another woman said: “We drove past St Paul’s Court around 4.30pm and there were police with guns.

“I thought my son was kidding when he told me what happened.”

Last night a police spokesman confirmed a man had been charged.

A statement said: “Gary Oldham, 41, of St Paul’s Court, Oswaldtwistle has been charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

“At around 4pm on Tuesday, police were called an address on Havelock Street after a 26-year-old woman had suffered stab wounds to her abdomen and shoulder. She was taken to Royal Preston Hospital in a stable condition.”