Woman critically ill after attack

Detectives hunting an attacker who left a woman critically injured fear that the assailant could strike again. Ann Fidler, 43, was discovered by her husband, Brett, suffering from a fractured skull and neck lacerations at their Eastleigh home, in Hampshire, on Wednesday.

She was taken to Southampton General hospital where she underwent emergency surgery and last night surgeons carried out another operation. Her condition remains critical. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Stickler, leading the inquiry, said police were treating the attack as attempted murder.