A brave Rochdale man was stabbed in the leg while he tried to protect his home from three masked men.
The attack, which happened on Newbold Hall Drive, Firgrove, at around 5am on April 11, involved a gang of three men who entered the property through a bedroom window, startling the sleeping 30-year-old man and his wife.
Once the intruders were inside, the male victim attempted to protect himself and his wife leading to a scuffle which ended with one of the criminals stabbing him in the thigh with a silver carving knife.
The callous trio threatened to carry on stabbing the couple before ransacking the house, leaving with cash, computers and a Gucci handbag.
The gang also tried to steal two high powered Audis that were parked out on the drive, but failed in their attempt.
Detective Constable Donna Rollinson said: “In the sanctity of his own home, this man was awoken to be confronted by intruders who climbed in through the bedroom window having scaled the building using a ladder.
“We believe the motive for this incident was to steal the two high-powered Audis parked on the drive, which the gang failed to do.”
Since the Saturday morning attack, the 30-year-old man has had surgery in hospital and is now making a recovery.
The first offender is described as white, in his 20s, with short brown hair, and wore a bandana covering his face. It is also thought that he was wearing a black hooded Nike top and black trousers.
The other two assailants were also white, and both wore dark clothing and had their faces masked by bandanas.
DC Rollinson said: “It was clearly a very frightening, traumatic ordeal for the man and his wife, and in trying to protect both his home and his wife this man was stabbed in the leg and later needed surgery. Thankfully, his injuries were not more severe.
“Although the injuries are not life-threatening, understandably he and his wife are in a total state of shock to have been confronted with such violence in the privacy of their own home and for their peace of mind we need to find whomever is responsible.
“I would urge anyone who has information about this appalling incident, or anyone who suspects who may be involved, to please call us so we can find the culprits before they strike again.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
