THE partner of a man who was stabbed in the stomach in an unprovoked attack has told of her husband’s frightening ordeal.

Mick McCarthy, 41, suffered a single stab wound to his stomach when he was approached by three men and attacked in Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn.

The incident happened at around 9.30pm on Wednesday when Mr McCarthy had been walking home from the gym.

He was taken to hospital for treatment and left in the early hours.

Now his partner, Marion Clayton, has spoken about her husband’s ordeal and how she ‘no longer feels safe’ living in Blackburn.

Ms Clayton said: “Mick had been walking home from Pro Bodies Gym in Bolton Road.

“He had his headphones in and got to Hollin Bridge Street when the attack happened.

“It was totally unprovoked.

“After that, Mick managed to walk home to my house as he’d not realised he’d been stabbed.

“He spoke to me and told me what happened and I then noticed his hoodie and shirt were soaked with blood.

“So I rang for an ambulance and he was taken to Royal Preston Hospital.”

When Mr McCarthy got to hospital, Ms Clayton said he was given a scan which showed he had no internal injuries.

He was then stitched up and allowed to return home in the early hours, and is now recovering.

The incident, which Ms Clayton said could have been a lot worse, has prompted her to call for more police patrols.

She said: “Where he was stabbed was half an inch from where major arteries are, so he could have died.

“He had head injuries and a stab wound and cuts and bruises on his hands. I’m shocked by what’s happened.

“There need to be more police patrols as there aren’t enough currently.

“Blackburn used to be a good town but there is a lot more drugs and crime now and I no longer feel safe.”

A police spokesman said: “Police were called at 9.30pm to reports of an assault where a man was attacked in Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn.

“The man was out walking when he was approached by three men and attacked.

“He suffered a single stab wound to his stomach and has gone to hospital for treatment.

“His injuries are not life-threatening.

“Police are investigating the incident. No arrests have been made.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1601 of July 18.