Boy charged with stabbing woman in handbag robbery

The woman suffered a punctured lung after she refused to hand over her handbag

A teenage boy has been charged with stabbing a woman in the chest during an attempt to steal her handbag.

The victim, in her 20s, suffered a punctured lung in the attack in the Toxteth area of Liverpool on Wednesday 13 November, Merseyside Police said.

She had been walking on Solway Street West at 07:10 GMT when someone approached demanding her bag, and when she refused, stabbed her.

A 17-year-old boy from Toxteth has been charged with wounding with intent, attempted robbery and possession of cannabis.

'Shatter confidence'

The woman has since been discharged from hospital, the force said.

The boy appeared at Liverpool Youth Court on Wednesday, where he was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 2 January.

Det Insp Chris Carlin said: “Robbery is an offence that can shatter confidence and make people feel unsafe in the heart of our communities.

“The use of knives to commit harm and cause fear in Merseyside will never be tolerated."