A GARAGE mechanic was attacked with a knife by an offender who walked into the business as staff worked.

The teenage apprentice was apparently grabbed by the offender, who was carrying what appeared to be a butcher's knife, and threatened.

As the knife was pressed against his chest, he was injured and needed hospital treatment, said colleagues at Girlington Motors.

The drama unfolded as staff worked at the businesses, based in premises in Roundthorn Place, off Willow Street in Girlington at about lunchtime yesterday.

Staff said a man walked in and took hold of the apprentice, who has worked for the firm for about a year, apparently because he was the closest.

Colleagues became alerted because of the offender's shouting and during the stand-off, the victim was held by the man with the knife to his chest.

By the time he was released he had sustained a chest injury and the offender then walked away.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We were called at 12.08pm to reports of a stabbing at Girlington Motors.

"A man was taken to hospital with a minor chest wounds. Inquiries are ongoing.”

Workers at the garage said they recognised the offender as man who had been given help with his car around two months previously at the garage.

A staff member said: "He had a car with a heater that wasn't working so he came here for an opinion.

"I had a look at it and we just moved the wiring, then the heater started to work.

"I think it might have been a loose plug, but that was two or three months ago.

"Then he came back because it wasn't working again. He came in raging that we had messed his car up.

"We had to ring the police, we have never had anything like this happen before.

"It looked like his car wiring had been butchered at some time before, so we taped it up and told him to take it to an electrician.

"We don't do electrics and had not charged him for anything."

Staff said the offender was aged 40s and is believed to live locally.

The injured worker was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary for treatment.

Police taped off one area of the garage and the street outside to allow a forensic examination of the crime scene, which was guarded by four police officers.

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