A grandfather in his 80s has died in hospital after being stabbed in the neck with a kitchen knife.

Police have confirmed the pensioner who was critically injured following an assault in Hockwold, between Thetford and Downham Market, has died in hospital.

Emergency services were called to Main Street on Thursday, February 29, just before 9am, following reports that a man had been stabbed in the neck.

READ MORE: Ashley Francis charged after man in 80s stabbed in Hockwold 

Eastern Daily Press: The victim was initially taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn and then transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in CambridgeThe victim was initially taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn and then transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge (Image: Paul Green)

The victim, who has been named locally as Mervyn Moulton, was initially taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, in a critical condition after sustaining life-threatening injuries.

He was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and later moved to the West Suffolk Hospital where he died on Thursday, March 7.

A Home Office post mortem will take place in due course.

Eastern Daily Press: A man in his 80s who was stabbed in the neck in Hockwold on Thursday, February 29 has died in hospitalA man in his 80s who was stabbed in the neck in Hockwold on Thursday, February 29 has died in hospital (Image: Chris Bishop)

Mr Moulton's grandson Ashley Francis, 26, and of Whittington Hill, King’s Lynn, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

He was subsequently charged with attempted murder. 

READ MORE: Attempted murder arrest after man is stabbed in Hockwold 

Mr Francis was remanded in custody and appeared at Norwich Magistrates Court on Saturday, March 2.

He is due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday, April 2.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service.