A man has been seriously injured during an affray in the state's Hunter region overnight.
Just before 8pm (Tuesday 13 July 2021), a 28-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were inside a home on Alliance Street, East Maitland, when three men and two women arrived at the home.
Police have been told the two groups were arguing when the situation escalated, and the 28-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted.
It's then alleged one of the men has struck the 35-year-old resident several times in the back with a tomahawk.
The injured man contacted emergency services while the group left the scene.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The man was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition; his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Following inquiries, about 12.20am (Wednesday 14 July 2021) police attended Bruce Street and arrested a 20-year-old woman.
She was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s) and affray.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Thursday 12 August 2021.
Investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
