Man arrested for attempted murder of neighbour

A Guelph man faces attempted murder and other charges after his neighbour was attacked in his own home Tuesday morning.

Just after 7 a.m. police were called for a disturbance inside a home near Woodlawn Road East and Inverness Drive. Investigation revealed a man had damaged a fence to gain access to the backyard, then removed a shovel from a shed and smashed a patio door to get into the house. Once inside he used the shovel to repeatedly strike the homeowner in the face and head.

Officers arrived while the assault was still occurring, intervening and placing the suspect under arrest.

The victim, a man in his 70s, sustained serious facial injuries and was transported to hospital for treatment.

A 34-year-old Guelph man is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault to resist arrest, break and enter and mischief. He was held to appear in bail court Wednesday.

Despite living on the same street the two men have never met or had any prior involvement with each other.