The 34-year-old man has been released from hospital after suffering a stab wound to the stomach following the attack on the bike path in Armidale about 5.30pm on Tuesday.

“It’s very brazen, it’s cowardly, and at it’s core, it can only be seen to have evil intent,” New England Inspector Roger Best told The Leader.

The man was walking with a 51-year-old woman along the bike path, near O’Dell St, when they were set upon by three teenagers armed with a knife and golf club.

The armed trio demanded money, and during the altercation, one offender stabbed the victim in the abdomen.

The trio then fled, running off towards Butler St, empty handed.

“This is a horrendous crime, it’s completely random, and could have led to the death of an innocent man who was merely walking home from work,” Inspector Best said.

“We will use every available resource to hunt down those responsible and get these dangerous offenders off our streets.”

The victim was treated by paramedics and taken to Armidale hospital where he was treated by doctors and released. The woman was not injured.

“We don’t have this type of crime in Armidale, the stupidity of these offenders is astonishing,” Inspector Best said.

“Any offender that arms themselves with a knife is concerning and it’s disturbing that these three armed offenders confronted an innocent victim walking home from work.”

Inspector Best said investigators had combed the area in search of witnesses and were appealing for help from the public.

The offenders are all believed to be Aboriginal in appearance and aged between 15 and 18. 

Police said the first offender is described as being about five-foot-six tall, with an athletic build, small amount of facial hair, dark curly hair and was wearing a black shirt and tracksuit pants.

The second offender is believed to be about five-foot-eight tall with a medium build, while the third teenager is described as five-foot-10 tall with a solid build and was wearing black clothing.

“Someone knows who these offenders are and we need the community to work with us to remove this criminal element from our streets,” Inspector Best said.