A man accused of the attempted murder of the boss of the Ipswich takeaway restaurant where he worked is expected to enter a plea to the charge in January.

Lianjun Sun, of Cromer Road, Ipswich, is charged with trying to kill Ruo Jun Tian, the owner of New China in Garrick Way.

Mrs Tian, who is in her 40s, sustained severe injuries to her neck and back during the alleged assault with a meat cleaver earlier this month.

Sun, a 51-year-old Chinese national, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for a preliminary hearing yesterday and will return to the court on January 31 for a plea and case management hearing.

Mrs Tian was discovered at the bottom of a set of stairs on November 1.

Police were called by paramedics who attended the scene.

Officers cordoned off an area around the New China takeaway restaurant and a door leading to the flats above.

Sun was arrested a short time later at his home.

A 55-year-old man from Ipswich was also arrested on suspicion of Mrs Tian’s attempted murder.

He has been released on police bail until December 3.