Suspect re-arrested after five hurt in hospital attack

A man has been re-arrested after five people were attacked with a weapon in a Merseyside hospital.

It happened on 20 December at Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows, St Helens, with the victims needing treatment at the scene from paramedics.

At the time, a 20-year-old man, who police said was originally from Afghanistan, was held on suspicion of five counts of wounding, affray and criminal damage and later detained under the Mental Health Act.

Merseyside Police said he had been discharged from hospital earlier and re-arrested on suspicion of wounding, attempted wounding, assault, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of cannabis, affray and criminal damage.

Det Insp James Rotheram said: "Since the suspect's initial arrest on 30 December last year we have continued our enquiries and carried out a search at an address where cannabis was found.

"Following the suspect's discharge from hospital he was then re-arrested and he currently remains in police custody.

"This incident obviously caused a lot of distress and concern in the local community, however I hope today's development reassures everyone that we are treating this incident very seriously and our enquiries are very much ongoing."

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