Machete attack victim Terry Wilson has relived the moment blood gushed from his head in the street.
The 40-year-old was with his girlfriend, Gail Mason, when he says he was confronted in the street and asked for money.
Terry says he retaliated when someone attempted to take £20 out of his pocket.
But his alleged attacker responded by pulling out a fearsome weapon, and hitting him over the head, he claims.
Police have arrested a teenager in connection with the incident, which happened in Peterlee, County Durham, on Tuesday night.
Now, Terry has told of the moment he realised he had been struck with the blade.
He said: "It just really hurt. There was blood all over.
"I just feel terrible because my partner was there. For her to see that wasn't very pleasant."
Terry, from Peterlee, went to The University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, following the alleged attack, where he received treatment to the large gash in his head.
He added: "I had to run to get help. I needed 18 stitches, but I've been lucky."
A spokeswoman from Durham Constabulary said: "Officers were called shortly after 7pm on Tuesday, July 30 to reports of a man being threatened with a machete outside a property in Howletch Lane, Peterlee.
"A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He has been released on bail."
