A 56-YEAR-OLD man is set to appear in court today charged with attempted murder following a machete attack outside an Ipswich town centre pub.Trevor Michael Lilley, of Ipswich, has been charged with attempted murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident at The Grinning Rat pub in St Helens Street on Friday night.

A 56-YEAR-OLD man is set to appear in court today charged with attempted murder following a machete attack outside an Ipswich town centre pub.

Trevor Michael Lilley, of Ipswich, has been charged with attempted murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident at The Grinning Rat pub in St Helens Street on Friday night.

He was expected to face magistrates today.

The victim, a 57-year-old man, is still in Ipswich Hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries. It is understood he has to undergo an operation for a fractured skull.

The attack happened in the garden of The Grinning Rat, which was busy with customers at the time who had come to see a performance by folk group The Onion Band.

Landlord Trevor Whinney, who was not at the pub when the incident happened, said: “We have been here about nine years and owned the pub for three and a half years and during that time, we have never had a policeman through our door.

“It's a horrible thing to happen. Everyone is shocked about it.”

The Grinning Rat has a good reputation as a friendly local serving real ale and with live music - it has strong roots with the community, last year it organised a highly-successful fundraising event for the Somebody's Daughter appeal.

Mr Whinney hoped the weekend's events would not affect the atmosphere or his trade.

“We have had a few more people come in since it happened to see what went on but I don't know if it will affect trade. Hopefully it won't keep people away.

“It is a nice pub with nice people. It could have happened anywhere but unfortunately it happened here.”

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 10.20pm following calls that a man had been injured following a blow with a machete.

A crew from the East of England Ambulance Trust took him to Ipswich Hospital, suffering from a deep cut to his head.

Neither of the men involved in the incident were regulars at the pub but had been in a few times before.

The pub was closed following the attack but opened as usual the following day.

Do you know the victim involved? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788.