A MAN has appeared in court following a serious alleged assault which has left a Wrexham man critically ill in hospital.

Alan Junior Gilmartin, 30, of Sycamore Drive, Lache, Chester, appeared at Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston Magistrates Court yesterday morning charged with causing grievous bodily harm to 38-year-old David Morton Thomas.

Gilmartin was arrested by police following an incident at the Temple Bar, on Frodsham Street, Chester, shortly before 11.30pm on Friday.

He was taken into custody by Cheshire Police and later charged with a section 18 assault for allegedly maliciously wounding Mr Thomas, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

Mr Thomas suffered a serious head injury as a result of the alleged assault.

He was originally rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital but was later transferred to the Specialist Head Injuries Unit at Walton Hospital, Liverpool, where he remains in a critical condition.

Because of the serious nature of the charge Gilmartin’s case has now been transferred to Chester Crown Court where he will appear for a preliminary hearing on April 26.

He has been remanded in custody until that time.