Man bashed, robbed and stabbed when his car ran out of petrol in Parramatta

VIOLENT robbery saw more than a dozen people attack a man when his car ran out of petrol while he was driving home from work.

knife

HE was just trying to get home from work yesterday when his car ran out of petrol.

The location wasn't isolated - in fact it was the geographic centre of Sydney - not a known danger zone.

The 30-year-old driver was bashed, stabbed and robbed by more than a dozen people in what police called a "shocking" and "appalling" attack.

The man was driving home from work with two friends when his car ran out of petrol on Hassall St, Harris Park, a stone's throw from the Parramatta CBD, about 1am. The trio decided to walk the several blocks to James Ruse Drive to an open service station.

Man stabbed in stomach

Man stabbed in broad daylight

When they returned to the car two thugs threatened the trio. While his two friends ran off, the victim decided to stand up to his attackers.

In the fight that followed he was stabbed twice in the stomach with a 7cm blade, kicked to the ground and robbed of his wallet, phone, and watch.

A group of 15 men then walked out of nearby Robin Thomas Reserve.

In a disheartening twist they were not there to help the victim, merely to kick a man when he was down.

And that's exactly what they did - bashing and robbing the man as he lay on the footpath, blood soaking into his white shirt.

In a final insult they tried to take his car, but fled on foot when he told them it was out of petrol.

Inspector George Radmore said it appeared the man was the victim of a random attack: "It appears to be an opportunistic attack and, unlucky for (the victim), he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"There doesn't appear to be any racial motive or anything like that, it appears to be unprovoked at this point.

"It's a shocking incident. It's appalling. These things shouldn't happen to people on their way home from work in Australian society in 2012."

The victim was taken to Westmead Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for his injuries.

A hospital spokeswoman said he was in a stable condition yesterday afternoon.

Police said the man who stabbed the victim was described as 21 years old, 180cm tall with a medium build and medium-length dark hair.

The group who joined in were described as being of Pacific Islander appearance and aged between 16 and 25.

Police are still searching for the knife and have stepped up patrols of the area.