Man in court over ‘meat cleaver incident’ near Wigan school

A man has appeared in court accused of having a meat cleaver outside a Wigan borough school. Anthony Hughes, 46, was charged with affray and possession of a bladed article after an incident at St George’s Central CE Primary School, on Darlington Street, Tyldesley.

Emergency services were called after reports of a man carrying a meat cleaver being seen as parents were collecting children from lessons at the end of the school day on Friday.

Several parents intervened to disarm the man and restrain him until police officers arrived. Police later thanked the parents who got involved for their “brave actions”.

Hughes, of Darlington Street, Tyldesley, appeared at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court on Monday in connection with the incident.

He did not enter a plea and the bench decided to send the case to Bolton Crown Court for trial.

Hughes was remanded in custody until a hearing at the crown court on Monday, 22 August.

(Proceeding)