A STUDENT was stabbed after confronting masked men during a robbery at a house in Chester.

The attack, which left the 21-year-old with a 1½-inch cut to his stomach, happened after three raiders entered the student house in Gladstone Road, Chester at 4.30am on Saturday, January 3.

Hans Sanders, of Cheshire Police, said: “The three men walked into the living room with hoods over their heads and scarves over their faces.

“One victim was sat working at an Acer Aspire laptop computer and one offender said to him: ‘We have come for your money and your stuff - don’t do anything stupid’.

“The other two offenders took a large knife from the kitchen and went upstairs to look around the bedrooms.

“One of the students, who was asleep in bed, was awoken when he saw someone reach in and turn the light on, which was when he noticed the knife.

“He feared for the safety of other people in the house and confronted the two men in the hallway.

“He struggled with both men for quite some time while he tried to disarm them, and one of the males ordered his accomplice to stab the student.

“He was then stabbed in the stomach before the attackers ran from the house with the laptop.”

The first male is described as dark-skinned, in his early 20s and approximately six feet tall. The other two males were of equal height and were both white, in their early 20s. All three men were wearing dark clothing and one of them had a green scarf over his face.

Hans added: “The student sustained a 1½-inch cut to the stomach as well as other cuts and bruises. He is very fortunate that the injuries were not life threatening as the wound was very close to vital organs.”

Police are keen to reassure residents that this is a very rare kind of incident but will be increasing patrols in the area.

They are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact DC Stuart Thomas or DS Debbie Bellis on 01244 613150. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.