Man has surgery after being stabbed by intruders in his Firgrove home

A man has had surgery in hospital after being stabbed in the leg trying to protect his home from intruders on Newbold Hall Drive, Firgrove at about 5am on Saturday (11 April).

The 30-year-old man was asleep with his wife when he was startled to find three men who had climbed through the bedroom window having scaled a set of ladders.

The home owner tried to protect himself and his wife leading to a struggle which ended when he was stabbed in the thigh by one of the intruders who was brandishing a silver carving knife.

The gang continued to threaten to stab the man and his wife before ransacking the house, stealing cash, computers and a Gucci handbag. The gang also tried to steal two high-powered Audis parked on the drive, but were unsuccessful.

The first offender was described as white, in his 20s, with short brown hair, a bandana covering his face and wearing a black hooded Nike top and black trousers. The other two offenders were also white, wearing dark clothing and had their faces masked by bandanas.

Police are appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

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.

"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.