A MAN has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a mother and her newborn baby.

A major operation was launch after emergency services were informed a 21-year-old woman and her three-week-old son has been stabbed.

It happened inside an address on Portland Close, Wallsend, at about 2.15pm on Wednesday.

They had both suffered injuries consistent with a bladed article and were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The woman is now in a serious but stable condition in hospital, however, the three-week-old baby remains in a critical condition.

Now Bulgarian national Denis Erdinch Beytula, 27, of Portland Close, Wallsend, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder. He appeared in North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.

Prosecutor Rebecca Gibson told the court the offences can only be heard at the crown court.

Tracey Wood, Beytula’s legal representative, made no application for bail.

Chairman of the bench, Mark Scott, told Beytula he will be remanded in custody until his next appearance in Newcastle Crown Court on October 31.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Cole, of Northumbria Police, said: “This has been a very difficult investigation and I know the wider community are in shock.

“A mother and her child have been seriously injured but I know the community in Wallsend will rally around them at what is a devastating time for the family.

“Thankfully the condition of the mother has improved over night and, although she is still in a serious condition, she is awake and talking in hospital.

“Her son remains in a critical condition and I know that doctors have been doing everything they can to save his life.

“Our investigation will continue today but I hope the fact that a man has been charged this morning will offer some reassurance to the public.

“I want to reiterate that this does not appear to be a random attack and that those involved are all known to each other. There is no wider risk to the public.

“It has also been a very traumatic incident for those officers who responded to this call. Together with paramedics they have saved the woman’s life and give the baby a fighting chance in hospital.

“We are doing everything we can to offer them any support they need and I want to thank them for their quick response in very difficult circumstances.

“Patrols will continue in the Wallsend area today and anyone who has any concerns is encouraged to speak to our officers.”

Anyone who witnessed anything in the area of Portland Close that may assist police should call officers on 101 quoting log 539 02/10/19.