A MAN was due to appear in court this morning charged with drugging and beating up a woman up over a three-day period.

The 26-year-old allegedly kept a 23-year-old woman in a comatose state for three days and repeatedly beat her.

The offences are alleged to have taken place at a house in Canterbury Street, Blackburn.

Detectives say the mother-of-one was taken to hospital last Sunday after she was found wandering the streets in dazed and seriously injured state.

She was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary and treated for numerous head and chest injuries. Police say the woman has been left "deeply traumatised" and is being cared for along with her young child at a safe house.

Detectives arrested Christian Cormack on Wednesday and charged him with wounding, false imprisonment, possessing cannabis and administering a noxious substance with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Cormack, who has been named by police, was due to appear before Blackburn magistrates.

The victim of the alleged attack has undergone blood tests and a substance, believed to be heroin, was seized from the house in Canterbury Street.

Detectives are also appealing to anyone who lives in the Canterbury Street area and may have seen anything suspicious to contact them as soon as possible.

People with information should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212.