Man arrested over Dunedin stabbing attack

Police cars line the road outside the house where a female occupant was attacked by a man not known to her. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery

A 21-year-old man has been arrested for the stabbing of a 26-year-old woman in her Dunedin home yesterday.

The victim was in a stable condition in Dunedin Hospital last night after undergoing surgery for stab wounds to her neck and face.

Southern District communications manager Vivien Pullar confirmed a 21-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the incident.

The arrested man faces a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear in the Dunedin District Court today.

Police said further serious charges are also likely. Nobody else is being sought in relation to the alleged attack.

Police and ESR are continuing to examine the scene at the woman's home, a process that is expected to take another two days to complete.

Police have yet to speak again with the victim. She remains in Dunedin Hospital where she is recovering from surgery she underwent yesterday.

Police earlier said the woman was "extremely lucky" to have survived the random act of violence at her Duncan Street home.

The woman answered her front door about 8.30am, had a brief chat with a male stranger, who then stabbed her after getting inside the flat she shared with her three-year-old daughter.

She managed to fend off her assailant, and left the flat with her daughter, who was unhurt.

Police said a passing motorist saw the woman in a distressed state and had taken the victim and her daughter to hospital.

Police spoke briefly to the woman before her surgery and, despite her injuries, she was able to provide information about the attack.

- nzherald.co.nz / Otago Daily Times