A hardworking father-of-two has been left with permanent injuries after he was allegedly attacked at work by sword-brandishing thugs.
Mohammed Panihani, 35, was manning an EzyMart convenience store on Swanston St in Melbourne’s CBD on Friday night when two armed teens allegedly stormed into the store demanding cash and cigarettes.
As shocked customers watched on, the Jordanian national tried to fend the teens off with a mallet as they allegedly waved their swords at him.
Blades from one of the swords slashed Mr Panhani’s left hand open before his alleged attackers fled the scene.
Mr Panihani said he felt as though he would die when the intruders allegedly burst into his store.
‘At that moment I felt I (had) died,’ he told Seven News,
It happened very quick’.
‘I couldn’t move … I couldn’t even move my tongue.’
Mohammed Panihani was forced to defend himself with a mallet during an alleged armed robbery
The father-of-two has been left with a permanent injury that will require 12 months of treatment
Customers rushed to Mr Panihani’s aid.
One wrapped cloth around Mr Panihani’s wounded hand and applied pressure to his wrist to slow the bleeding.
Another helped him to remain calm and sat on his legs to prevent him from writhing about in pain.
The 35-year-old was horrified when he finally saw the damage inflicted to his hand.
‘I saw all like the wound outside, the blood, you know, the muscle,’ he said.
Doctors told Mr Panihani his left hand will require ongoing surgery.
It will be 12 months before he will be able to use it again.
The vile alleged assault left the Jordanian national writhing on the floor and bleeding profusely
The father-of-two arrived in Australia from Jordan six months ago to complete his PhD.
He sends all the money he saves back home to support his young family.
Two 18-year-olds have since been charged in relation to the alleged attack.
Store owner Mohammed Abualfoul called for more police to patrol Melbourne’s CBD amid a rise knife crime.
‘They told me they do not want to work alone, especially on the night shift,’ he said.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk