Melissa Belshaw: Man, 36, charged with murder of woman at Wigan home

Man who tried to thwart attack on 32-year-old mother also remains in hospital after being stabbed

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A 36-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a woman in Wigan.

Melissa Belshaw, a 32-year-old mother, was attacked at her home in Billinge on Wednesday and died as a result of “catastrophic injuries”.

Andrew Wadsworth, of Cranfield Road, Wigan, is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with murder, Greater Manchester Police said.

He is also accused of attempted murder, threats to kill, threatening a person with a knife and assaulting two police officers.

Police previously said two men had tried to stop the attack in Upholland Road.

One of the men, aged in his 40s, was taken to hospital after being stabbed and is in a stable condition, the force said.

The victim’s 13-year-old daughter rang the emergency services to raise the alarm.

Superintendent Chris Bridge praised the “extreme bravery” of the two members of the public who intervened.

It is understood the defendant and Ms Belshaw, who has not yet been formally identified by police, were known to each other.

Mr Bridge said he wanted to reassure the community it was an isolated incident and there was no wider threat.