Man's fearlessness prevents assault escalating into a stabbing in inner Sydney

A GOOD Samaritan's intervention may have prevented an assault escalating into a stabbing after a man was bashed and robbed.

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A GOOD Samaritan's fearless intervention may have prevented an assault escalating into a stabbing after a man was bashed and robbed in inner Sydney.

Laurence Dapra, 42, stopped his car at an ATM on Belmore Road, Randwick about 12.30am when an assault suddenly occurred right in front of his eyes.

At least two men are believed to have exited from a bus and attacked a 28-year-old man when Mr Dapra and a friend intervened.

"Just as the bus took off he was kicked in the back of his head,'' Mr Dapra said.

"I said, `Hey! What are you doing?' And next minute we saw them take off,'' he said.

Police discovered a 7cm folding knife at the crime scene with Mr Dapra believing the attackers panicked when they heard his voice.

"He dropped it (the knife). There was no blood on it. Just as well we interacted.''

The attackers stole the man's wallet and phone while he was on the ground unconscious before fleeing the scene toward the nearby Waratah Avenue.

Mr Dapra has a background in martial arts and believed the training prepared him to react the way he did.

"I like to protect the neighbourhood.''

The victim suffered a gash to the back of his head, which caused blood to soak into his clothes and stream across the footpath.

Paramedics rushed him to Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment to his head injuries.

Police established a crime scene around the bus stop and searched the area for any sign of the attackers.

They are appealing for witnesses, who haven't already spoken with officers, to come forward or contact Crime Stoppers.