Attempted murder charge after man in 70s attacked

The attack happened on Abbotsbury Road in Weymouth on Tuesday night, police said

A 19-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a man in his 70s suffered injuries to his head and face in an attack.

Dorset Police said it happened on Abbotsbury Road in Weymouth on Tuesday shortly before 20:15 GMT.

The force said the victim remains in hospital in a serious condition.

The man from Weymouth who has also been charged with criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker is due to appear at Poole Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Police are urging a man seen walking from Newstead Road toward St Paul's Church at about 20:10 on the evening of the attack to come forward.

The force said the man was wearing a red or burgundy-coloured hat, a black Puffa-style jacket, black trousers and white trainers and described him as white and of of slim build.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicky Jenkins, of Dorset County CID, said: "I would like to stress that we are keen to identify this man purely as a witness and take his account, as he may have important information to assist our investigation."

The force is also asking witnesses to come forward and said high-visibility patrols would carried out in the area over the next few days.