A DURBAN North family have spoken out about their traumatic ordeal at the hands of an armed suspect during an attempted robbery at their Kenneth Kaunda (Northway) home almost two weeks ago.

Neil and Donique Love, with their two young sons, were sitting in the lounge when the armed suspect entered their home.

“We had spent the day at uShaka and we were planning on going out for dinner but got a takeaway instead. We were all sitting in the lounge and the boys were playing Playstation. It was just past 8pm when I saw this hand holding a knife appear in the corner of my eye,” explained Neil.

The lone suspect had entered the front door of the home and had walked into the kitchen when he was confronted by Neil.

In other crime news: LISTEN: Brick thrown at motorist on N2 near Sibaya

“I had this chill go down my back and I instantly knew we were in trouble. I thought there were more guys so I tried to tackle this suspect before dealing with the others (if they were there). Everything happened so quickly, but as I tackled the guy in the kitchen, he tried to stab me with the kitchen knife and I fended off the first attempt and I punched him.

“In the struggle we both fell to the floor and that’s when he stabbed me right under the arm. I knew I had been stabbed because I felt the warmth of the blood roll down my body and onto the floor. My Jack Russell, Thug, who is still traumatised, tried to help but to no avail. I remember shouting to my wife and the kids to get out of the house. We struggled for about a minute but it felt like five,” he said.

As Love held the armed suspect hands away, mere inches from his face, the suspect began taunting him.

Read also: Victim of Durban hijacking video found in Newlands

“His eyes were the size of saucers and he had to be high on something but he kept saying ‘now you are going to die’, he repeated that a few times. I managed to grab his ear with my teeth and I bit hard but he wouldn’t let go. I could hear Donique on the phone calling for help and I knew I was in a bad way because my ears were ringing and I began feeling faint. I said to myself I needed to try and hold this position before help arrived,” he said.

The suspect was eventually arrested by Marshall Security as he tried to escape by jumping over a wall on the property. The family both boys remain traumatised by the attempted robbery.

Neil had to get 13 stitches and suffered bruising on back and ribs from the attack which also saw some of his fingers cut.

Read also: WATCH: Videos emerge of brazen ‘Merc’ gang in uMhlanga robbery

Since the incident, the family have had to upgrade their security system and including the medical bill, have had to spend in excess of R20 000. Neil has been advised by doctors to see a physio for the next few weeks to help with the mobility of his underarm.

For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram