A KNIFEMAN stabbed a 63-year-old man in the penis and testicles in a "sickening" pub attack.

The victim is believed to have been drinking at the Pound Pub in Market Street, Atherton, when he was approached by the attacker, who asked to speak to him outside.

After he stepped into the street, the knifeman stabbed him "in the groin area", injuring his penis and testicles.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with injuries that, while painful, are not thought to be life-threatening.

An ambulance was called at 9.11pm was on the scene at 9.16pm.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said: "He suffered minimal lacerations and was wounded in a central location.

"The hospital was informed prior to his arrival but staff were not on standby. The man suffered minimal bleeding."

Joe Ross, aged 37, from Atherton, said: “A lot of people have been talking about what happened but it has been turning into Chinese whispers.

"The man’s injuries are a man’s worst nightmare. A man inflicting an injury like that on another man is just sickening, it’s wrong.

"I can’t think about it without feeling ill myself.”

A 45-year-old woman, from Leigh, said: “I come shopping in Atherton often and I am really shocked that something like this has happened.


MORE:


"You wouldn’t be surprised if it was in a city, but not in Atherton. I feel for the man it must have been very painful.”

June Smith, aged 67, from Atherton, said: “I am surprised somebody was stabbed - it is just awful.

"I hope police find the man who did it. Everyone in Atherton knows each other so he will be caught quickly if he lives locally.

"People who do things like that are not welcome here.”

The Pound Pub opened in Atherton in May in a novel attempt to revitalise the struggling pub industry.

Mike Wardell, director of Here for You Hospitality LTD, which runs the pub, claims the attack happened elsewhere, but the injured man came into the pub for help, prompting staff to call an ambulance.

Police are now hunting for the knifeman.

Any witnesses or people with information are asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.