By Juliette MaxamA FATHER will appear in court today charged with attempting to murder his partner in an incident in front of their two-year-old daughter.

By Juliette Maxam

A FATHER will appear in court today charged with attempting to murder his partner in an incident in front of their two-year-old daughter.

Police launched an investigation after a 29-year-old Serbian woman was injured in an incident that happened as she walked in Winnock Road, Colchester, with her daughter at about 4.30pm on Saturday.

The woman, a care assistant known as Ranka, was taken to Colchester General Hospital with three knife wounds. Staff described her condition last night as "stable".

Her little girl was initially taken to Colchester Police Station for safety and social services were contacted, but a friend of the mother agreed to look after the girl.

A 28-year-old man was later arrested at his home in Albert Street, Colchester, on suspicion of attempted murder.

He was taken to Colchester General Hospital for treatment for minor wounds and then on to the town's police station for questioning.

An Essex Police spokesman said last night that the woman's partner, Joel Metcalfe, 28, of Albert Street, Colchester, had been charged with her attempted murder and added he was due to appear today before Chelmsford magistrates.

Neighbours of the couple said they had lived in Albert Street for about two years, but had recently split up and the woman had gone to live elsewhere with her daughter, Cheru.

"I thought they'd split up because their house has recently gone up for sale," said one neighbour. "It's a great shame, they seemed so happy when Cheru was born.

"Joel used to walk up and down the street holding her to get her to go to sleep. We're such a close knit community. You never think something like this will happen to people you know."

Police said they were still looking for the knife used in the incident and appealed for anyone with information to contact 01206 762212.

juliette.maxam@eadt.co.uk