DETECTIVES are appealing for a key witness to come forward after three people were charged with attempted murder this week.

Their arrests followed a disturbance in the Orange Hill Road area of Prestwich at 11.45pm last Friday, December 12.

Police say the victim sustained severe facial injuries and is currently recovering in hospital.

On Monday, 19-year-old John Lucas of Bailey Street, Prestwich, and Leo Armstrong (20) of Vincent Street, Higher Broughton, were charged with attempting to murder Paul Maher.

The following day, a 17-year-old youth from Salford appeared before magistrates on the same charge. The case against all three, who were remanded in custody, was adjourned until next Monday.

Also in court on Monday was the mother of one of the defendants.

Jacqueline Lucas (38), also of Bailey Street, faced a matter of intending to pervert the course of justice in that she knowingly or believing persons were responsible for a serious assault, drove them from the area and later made a false statement regarding the movement of the suspects. She was given bail.

Meanwhile, detectives have appealed for witnesses to come forward. They are certain a number of people saw the incident and are particularly anxious to trace one man.

Police say he was walking along Bailey Street, Prestwich, around the same time when he was apparently given abuse by a gang of youths. He carried on walking to a nearby phone box where he stopped and looked back up the street, seconds before a couple passed the same youths.

Anyone who can assist should ring Det Sgt Bill Gresty or Det Con Mick Kennedy at Bury CID on (0161) 856 8150 or 856 8145.

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