Dad tells how he was nearly killed in nightclub stabbing (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Man describes ‘blood everywhere’ after attack

9:00am Wednesday 1st August 2012 in News By Steve Wright, Crime Reporter

A young father told how he nearly died when he was stabbed at a nightclub in a row over food.

Gregory Hoe, 26, was stabbed through the upper back, causing a large wound that pierced his chest and missed a vital artery by only half an inch.

Speaking from his hospital bed yesterday, and cradling his four-year-old daughter, the 6ft 6ins print worker told how a night of celebration almost turned into tragedy.

Mr Hoe, of Bankfoot , Bradford, had been enjoying a night out with friends and relatives after they won several hundred pounds playing poker.

In the early hours of Sunday the group, which included eight women, continued their celebrations at Club Cs, in Sackville Street in Bradford city centre, where they danced and bought food from a barbecue in the club’s outside courtyard.

Mr Hoe said he bought portions of chicken, then handed over £10 for two soups, and was waiting for his change when he said he was asked to go back inside the club by door staff.

He said he was threatened by one man and another came running up “out of the blue” and the pair started attacking his friend.

Mr Hoe said: “I tried to shield him and was backing towards the door. I turned to go through the door and felt what I thought was a punch to the top of my back.

“I walked into the bar area and people were saying I had blood everywhere. I think I passed out for a time, but I managed to get outside and then the police and ambulance service arrived.”

Mr Hoe was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was released yesterday after two days of treatment.

His friend suffered a graze to his abdomen from a knife and was treated in hospital but not detained.

Mr Hoe said: “I could have been killed. My lung has been damaged and the knife went only an inch from my heart. The doctor said I was very luck – half an inch either side and it could have severed an artery.

“It is disgusting. This shouldn’t have happened. It was an unprovoked attack and all came from me asking for change for food I had bought.

“It shouldn’t have gone that far. It has left me feeling shocked and worried.

“I won’t be going back there and I won’t be going out in Bradford again.

“I want the police to lock up whoever did this. I urge anyone who can help with that to tell the police.”

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to contact Bradford South CID on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.