A MAN has undergone emergency facial surgery after a knife incident in a garden near his home.

Roger Thorne, aged 36, was working in the garden when the incident happened shortly before 1pm on Wednesday.

Neighbours heard his desperate cries for help and raised the alarm.

Sharon Crane, aged 41, said: "I could hear a man groaning and looked outside to see Roger slumped over the fence. He was clutching his head and there was blood spurting out everywhere. I got some towels and dialled 999."

An ambulance crew was quickly on the scene and Mr Thorne was taken to Poole Hospital. He spent six hours in the operating theatre as doctors battled to save his left ear.

The incident is one of a number of horrific knife incidents to have happened across the country in recent weeks and comes at a time when more than 800 knives have been surrendered in Dorset as part of the national knife amnesty.

Speaking about the incident Mr Thorne's brother, Dennis, aged 30, told the Daily Echo: "I was getting my lunch when I saw the ambulance and police cars drive past.

"I went out to see what was going on and when I heard it was Roger I just burst into tears. He would not hurt a fly and would do anyone a good turn."

Mr Thorne, who is unemployed, lives with Dennis, a second brother Peter, 28, and their aunt Shirley, 63.

Following the incident in Forum View, Bryanston, north Dorset, the area was sealed off and scenes-of-crime officers carried out a detailed examination of the site.

Sniffer dogs were also brought in and a knife was recovered nearby.

Other neighbours described their shock at the incident.

Mary Elsworth said: "It's an awful thing to happen."

  • Anyone with information is urged to contact Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.