Woman suffers life-changing injuries after fight outside Sunderland sheltered accommodation

Police were called to St Margaret’s Court on Hylton Castle Road at around 5.50pm on Sunday following a report that a number of people were fighting outside of the premises.

A woman was then taken to hospital with what police confirmed were ‘life-changing injuries’.

An investigation was launched into the incident and police believe that those involved are all known to each other.

A 54-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and remains in police custody.

Police are continuing to search for others believed to have been involved in the incident and have launched an appeal for information.

Officers were seen outside of the building yesterday, along with police dogs.

One local resident said: “We heard a crashing noise from the car park and people said they had been trouble and a lass had been injured.

“The next thing we knew police were on the scene and they were there for a few hours.

“It is quite scary for this sort of thing to happen as there are elderly people living there.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “At 5.50pm yesterday, police received a report of a disturbance outside an address on St Margaret’s Court, Sunderland.

“It was reported that a number of people were fighting outside the premises.

“Officers attended and a woman was taken to hospital with life-changing injuries.

“An investigation has been launched into the incident, and police believe that those involved are all known to each other.

“A 54-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and she remains in police custody at this time.

“Inquiries are ongoing to trace other individuals believed to have been involved in the incident.”

John Oxborough, District Manager for St Margaret’s Court said: “There was an incident that took place outside of the location which is being investigated by the police.

“We can confirm that no tenants were injured. The location is secure, and we have been supporting tenants throughout. The safety and wellbeing of our tenants is paramount.”

He added: “We acknowledge that some damage was done to cars parked in the car park and we are supporting tenant/residents with reporting the matter to the police.”