A man has been charged in connection with a reported violent assault in north Dorset that left another man with broken bones.

Dorset Police received a report that a man had been assaulted at his home in Shillingstone by another man who was known to him at 9.21pm on Sunday, October 1.

The victim was taken to hospital following the alleged assault, where X-rays revealed he had sustained a fracture to his leg and fractures to his collar bone.

It was further reported that a set of keys were stolen from the property.

Following enquiries by detectives from Dorset County CID, a 61-year-old local man has been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm and burglary.

He has also been charged with a separate stalking offence involving a woman who is known to him and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 5.

Detective Chief Inspector Julie Howe, of Dorset County CID, said: “We recognise reported incidents of this nature in rural areas can have a significant impact on the local community.

"I would like to reassure members of the public that officers responded quickly to this report on the night and we have then taken positive action to investigate matters and secure charges in the case.”