TONY Mahon has relived the terrifying moment car jackers attacked him with a 10 inch knife in a Royton supermarket car park.
The 54-year-old prison custody officer was stabbed three times in the leg before the robbers fled in his Kia Picanto.
He escaped serious injury only because the blade glanced off a leather wallet in his trouser pocket.
But, amazingly, Tony says he feels sorry for the pair – described as being in their mid-20s – and he can even joke about his ordeal.
However, the unprovoked attack at about 8.30pm on Monday, November 5, has left him unable to sleep because of flashbacks.
The drama began when Tony visited a town centre fast food outlet after a long day at work.
He parked in Lidl supermarket car park and walked down steps to the shop on Middleton Road.
“I noticed two guys at the stop of the steps, both chatting but didn’t think anything of it and walked past,” he told the Correspondent.
“I got the chips, walked back and the lads weren’t there. I opened the car door, chucked my chips onto the passenger seat and sat down.
“The second my bum hit the seat the door was wrenched open and a knife thrust into my face.
“One of the men screamed at me loudly ‘Get out of the car, get out of the car and give me the keys’.
“Before I even had chance to start looking for my keys, one of them thrust this 10-12 inch knife, with all holes in the blade, into my leg.
“It wasn’t a poke or a prod, it was a proper, hard stab and he did it three times.
“It cut my leg but it’s only a small graze because of the wallet.
“He threw the keys to the one that wasn’t holding the knife and they got in my car and drove off.
“I wasn’t resisting in any way. So why he did that it made no sense. If they get caught it will only make it much worse.
“It wasn’t a nice experience. But my mum and dad have been greatly affected by it and I’m sure is the same with other people who use Lidl.”
Through his work Tony is no stranger to violence having had his leg broken by one prisoner and been stabbed by another.
But he admits this latest act of violence has affected him.
“You feel okay in one way but I can’t go to sleep because all I see is that knife and hearing their violent screams every time.”
However, in a moving Facebook posting he wrote: “Lots of you have sent kind words and caring support.
“I’d just like to say every kind word has made such a difference and I thank each and every one of you.
“So many brilliant caring people massively outweigh the negative evil brought to our doorsteps by the few terrible cruel and cowardly individuals that blight our society.
“They took my car but that’s all they are getting. I won’t allow them one more minute of my thoughts or my well-being.
“There are so many more of us decent, caring people than there are of them. I’m sure our lives are infinitely more enjoyable than the life they lead.
“So to those people I say this – I am so sorry for you because my life is filled with so much love that even without my car I am so much happier than you will ever be.”
And he even managed to find humour in the situation.
He said: “You don’t expect it when you are buying chips. I was chasing after them shouting, ‘never mind my car, just chuck my chips out’!”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they have launched an investigation into the frightening incident and issued the following statement.
“Shortly after 8.15pm on Monday, November 5 2018, police were called to reports of a robbery in a supermarket car park on High Street in Royton.
“A 54-year-old man was walking back to his car when he was approached by two men armed with a knife.
“The duo demanded the car keys before stabbing the man in the leg and stealing the silver Kia Picanto.
“The victim suffered minor injuries but is thought to have escaped more serious problems has his wallet deflected the knife blade.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
• Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 2209 of 05/11/2018, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
I too was attacked in the Lidl carpark by two lads on a moped, a week after this incident. They didn’t get my car and they are not going to run my life either.