Man charged with attempted murder after two boys hurt in Hampshire knife attack

Richard Walsh will appear in court on Monday charged with the attack on the two teenagers

(Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

A man has been charged with attempted murder after two teenage boys were hurt a knife attack in Hampshire on Friday.

Richard Walsh, 43, will appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with two counts of attempted murder and one of assault in connection with the attack in Havant, Hampshire just before 3pm.

The 12 and 13-year-old boys were taken to Southampton General Hospital but are believed to be in a “serious but stable” condition despite earlier reports that one of the boys was in a “life-threatening condition”.

The incident has been described “isolated” but extra police patrols were carried out on Friday and Saturday.

Chief Inspector Patrick Holdaway of Hampshire Police said: "My thoughts go out to the children who have been hurt and their families. We're providing assistance to them at the current time and both children are being treated in hospital for their injuries."

Additional reporting by agencies