A MAN struck with a tomahawk at East Maitland is recovering in hospital.
Police were called to Alliance Street about 8pm after they were told two people, a 28-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, were inside a property when another five people arrived.
The second group, three men and two women, reportedly got into an argument with the two people when the situation escalated.
Police allege the 28-year-old woman was assaulted before one of the men struck the 35-year-old resident "several times in the back with a tomahawk".
The injured man called emergency services while the group fled.
He was taken to John Hunter in a stable condition with injuries police said were not considered life-threatening.
Port Stephens-Hunter police attended, establishing a crime scene and starting an investigation into the circumstances.
On Wednesday morning police attended Bruce Street. They arrested a 20-year-old woman who was 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 received conditional bail and will face Maitland Local Court on August 12.
