Shock over 'despicable' attack on 72-year-old

FRIENDS of a great-grandfather who was slashed with a knife outside his own front door have spoken of their shock at the vicious attack.

Pensioner Peter Trow, pictured below, was returning home from an evening at Kidsgrove Labour Club when he was set upon by two thugs wearing balaclavas.

Other users of the Market Street club have described their anger at the attack – and said it is characteristic of the 72-year-old that he has pledged not to allow the incident to ruin his social life.

Barman Eddie Chzonowski said: "We are all very shocked about what happened to Pete. He's a decent chap.

"It's unbelievable that you can leave here after a normal night out and be stabbed just a few minutes later when you are going into your own home.

"Pete's quite a big bloke but you can tell he's been very shaken by the whole thing. Twenty years ago he might have stood a chance of having a go back but they took him by surprise from behind.

"His flat is one of six in a block just up the road from here and you need a fob to get through the main entrance to the place so someone must have been lying in wait for him to open it."

It is believed the masked attackers were waiting for Mr Trow as he returned to Peel Court, Attwood Street, just before midnight on Thursday.

He needed 11 stitches in a hand wound and was knocked to the ground during the incident.

The men then searched Mr Trow's flat before escaping with only a set of keys which were later recovered nearby.

Despite being left shaken, Mr Trow told Saturday'sSentinel that he refused to allow fear to stop him going out.

And he has since returned to the club each night since to describe his ordeal to well-wishers.

One drinker, who asked not to be named, said: "Peter's a really good bloke and friend and it's awful what's happened to him.

"If they were actually inside the main block when they jumped him, you wonder if someone from the other flats left the door open for the attackers earlier that night."

Another friend said: "If they were after drugs they clearly got the wrong man in Pete, but it's still a bit unclear to us what actually happened.

"I've seen him in here since and there's still blood on the bandage round his hand.

"All this certainly hasn't stopped people coming into the Labour Club."

Paramedics and police were called to the scene and Mr Trow was taken to hospital to have his hand treated.

Police have branded it "a despicable crime" and issued an appeal for witnesses.

Anyone who can help should call Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455, quoting reference 822 of January 28, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.