7.30am UPDATE: Bathurst police have charged a man after a 54-year-old woman was found unconscious in a lane off Bentinck Street on Thursday night.
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Detectives from Chifley local area command launched Strike Force Annex to investigate the alleged assault.
Following inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 56-year-old man just before 7.30pm on Friday.
The local man was taken to Bathurst police station where he was charged with attempt murder; stalking; and assaulting occasioning actual bodily harm.
He’s been bail refused to appear at Bathurst Local Court on Saturday.
EARLIER: A BATHURST woman remains in a serious but stable condition at Westmead Hospital after being viciously assaulted on Thursday evening.
The 54-year-old has yet to regain consciousness after being found in her car in Mugridge Lane, off Bentinck Street, at 10.45pm Thursday with significant head injuries.
Chifley local area command crime manager Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said yesterday the woman worked at Carah’s Cakes and Pies and was last seen walking to her car after finishing work about 6pm.
She was later found by a passerby who lives in the area.
Detective Inspector Rankin said the victim remained in “a very serious condition” and police had utilised a lot of resources in a bid to find the person responsible.
A strike force has been established and police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
Detective Inspector Rankin said he was unable to comment on the weapon used in the assault, or if robbery was a motive.
He said police spent yesterday canvassing the area and speaking to businesses, some of which may have CCTV footage which could prove critical to the investigation.
Detective Inspector Rankin said it was believed the woman was assaulted some time earlier that evening, although exactly where the assault occurred has yet to be confirmed.
“We have not established that yet. She was found in her car [but] the results of the forensic examinations undertaken at the crime scene will determine where it happened,” he said.
Detective Inspector Rankin said the victim was taken to Bathurst Hospital before being airlifted to Westmead Hospital late Thursday.
Yesterday Mugridge Lane was sealed off as forensic police scoured the area, undertaking line searches and crawling on their hands and knees as they searched the roadway for physical evidence. They also searched nearby garden beds and other areas around Bentinck Street.
Detective Inspector Rankin said the woman’s car would undergo forensic examination.
Anyone with information on the assault is asked to call Bathurst police on 63328699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Story originally published as Man charged after woman savagely bashed in Bathurst lane by Western Advocate.