AN elderly Bolton woman who was stabbed in the face during a mugging near her home two weeks ago died in hospital today

The attack on Mary Thompson, which left her with a stab wound near her eye and a broken arm, horrified people in the Deane area where she lived.

Mrs Thompson, an independent-minded widow who was returning home from visiting her sister-in-law when the attack happened, has been in hospital since the incident on Willows Lane.

She was due to celebrate her 80th birthday today but died just after midnight.

Detectives investigating the case and a series of other muggings in the Deane area say it is not yet known whether her death is related to the attack.

A post mortem examination is due to take place on Monday to establish the exact cause of her death.

Earlier this week a 20-year-old Deane man was arrested and charged with robbing Mrs Thompson and four other people.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.