Two more charged in connection with Christmas Day stabbing

A further two men have been charged in connection with a stabbing in Middleton during the early hours of Christmas morning last year.

Three men were stabbed in the early hours of Christmas Day in the Akash restaurant on Market Place.

Paul Rowley, 24, of Tudor Grove, Middleton and Stephen Cleworth, also 24, of Fielding Street, Middleton have both been charged with three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mark Smith, 23, has already been charged with attempted murder, but has now also been been charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent

The three defendants are due to stand trial at Bolton Crown Court on Monday 13 July 2009.

During the attacks on Thursday 25 December 2008, a 23-year-old man was stabbed several times in the stomach and a 22-year-old man was also stabbed in the stomach.

The 22-year-old managed to leave the restaurant and walked as far as Long Street before he collapsed.

A third victim, a 21-year-old man, had a slash wound to the cheek.