A milkman was stabbed in the stomach after refusing to give two teenage boys a lift on his float.
The dairy worker, named only as Rob, was attacked while delivering bottles in the Cheshire village of Tarporley at around 4.45am.
“Two youths, he reckons they were about 15 or 16, asked him for a lift down a country lane and he said he couldn’t,” said his boss Edward Briscoe, the owner of Briscoe’s Dairy.
“It’s an electric float, it doesn’t have any passenger seats.
“One of them tried to get a crate off the back and as Rob has gone round the back one of the lads has stabbed him.”
Mr Briscoe said his employee was saved from a nastier wound because he was wrapped up in a thick coat.
Cheshire Police confirmed they were investigating reports of a stabbing on Eaton Road, Tarporley.
“It is believed that two males attempted to steal some milk before the incident,” a spokesperson said.
“The man is believed to have sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.”
Rob, who is in his mid 20s, has worked for the small family business for around seven years.
The milkman even wanted to carry on with his round once he had been checked over by ambulance staff, according to Mr Briscoe.
He added: “It’s horrible to think there was intent there to really hurt someone.
“I dread to think what would have happened if he didn’t have the thick coat on but I’m just so thankful he’s not badly hurt.”
Additional reporting by Press Association
