Bodybuilder reveals moment he was stabbed in terrifying car-jack attempt in Sunderland

Michael Short, 25, was attacked by two men who were trying to steal his car in Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland.

He was stabbed twice in the arm after they demanded he hand over the keys to his VW Polo GT.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the incident, which took place on Monday, November 14.

It happened after Mr Short saw two men walking in the middle of the road when on the way back from dropping his eight-year-old stepson off at cubs.

After they did not move when he sounded his horn, Mr Short got out of his car when he was confronted by them.

He said: “I got out of the car and one of the guys ran up to me with a knife.

“He demanded that I handed him my car keys, while the other one went round the other side of my car.

“I punched him and that is when the other one went at me with the knife.

“He went towards my head, so I put my arm up and he grazed my arm before flicking my arm again with the knife.

“They both looked at each other and ran off.”

Mr Short – who once competed as a bodybuilder – drove home after the incident to be with wife Jennifer, but when it became clear how serious the wounds were, he was taken to hospital for treatment.

He added: “I sat in the car and didn’t even realise I was injured until I saw my jeans were soaking and my arm was squirting with blood.

“You read about things like this all the time and see it on the news, but you never really think it’s going to happen to you.

“Unfortunately, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Mr Short is thankful that it is he who was attacked, rather than his wife, who usually takes her son to cubs.

However, she was unable to drive after being involved in a car accident four days earlier.

The personal trainer said: “It could so easily have been them in the car, and if they were willing to use a knife on me, there’s no knowing what they’d be capable of.

“I’m just glad they got me rather than anyone else.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman: “Police were called following an incident on Ashbrooke Road in Sunderland at approximately 6.10pm on Monday, November 14.

“A 25-year-old man was driving along the road near St John’s Church when two men suddenly appeared in the road.

“The motorist got out of his car and the other men asked for his car keys which he refused. He was threatened with a knife.

“There was an altercation and the driver received a superficial wound to his arm.

“The two offenders made off empty handed towards Backhouse Park.

“The driver went to Sunderland Royal Hospital and was released after treatment.

“Police are investigating the incident as an attempted robbery and are appealing for witnesses.

“The two men are described as both approximately 19-years-old one wearing a red hoody and the other a dark hoody, both had tracksuit bottoms.

“Police are treating this as an isolated incident.

“Officers are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, is asked to contact police.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 897 of 14/11/16 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”