A MAN was dragged into an alleyway and stabbed in an unprovoked assault in Accrington town centre, police said.

Barman Joseph Allen was walking home from a late shift at a local pub when he was jumped from behind yards from his front door around 3.30am.

The 26-year-old, of Wellington Street has spoken of his horror at realising the unknown man had stabbed him and his theory the assault may have been a case of mistaken identity.

He said: “Some guy dragged me into an alley, and I got hit in the face.

“He used a sharp object on me and told me to keep my mouth shut.

“There wasn’t even an attempt to take my phone or wallet.”

Joseph managed to push the attacker off, and ran into a nearby business for help.

Staff administered first aid to stop a six or seven centimetre cut on his side from bleeding, and called an ambulance,.

Joseph required hospital treatment for his injuries, and he said the attack has left him fearful when walking at night.

He said: “I hope they catch him because it could happen to someone else, and next time they might not be as lucky as I was.

“Work have been very good and let me have a bit of time, but when I go back to work I’m finding different ways to walk home every night.”

Det Con Tony Roberts, from CID, appealed for anybody with information about the attack, which happened on July 13, to come forward.

He said: “It appears this was a completely unprovoked and nasty attack.

“We have done house to house inquiries and looked at CCTV and we are now asking if anybody might have seen anything at that time of the morning to come forward.”

Anybody with information should call 101 or the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555111.