'I went to autopilot', says man whose father was stabbed after knife-wielding men burst into office

A dad-of-two has told of the shocking moment two men wearing motorcycle helmets stormed into his office brandishing a knife.

Chris Rigby said he “went on autopilot” when faced with two men demanding money at Metcalfe, Kime & Co on Allensway in Thornaby on Friday afternoon.

The 35-year-old went to defend dad Keith, 60, who was stabbed in the abdomen during an attempted robbery.

A couple of hours earlier, Chris said his wife, Diane, and one-year-old son, Teddy, would have been in the office as they had called in to have lunch with him.

“It could have been a different story if they had been there, you just don’t know,” said Chris, a finance clerk at the insurance services firm where his dad is the manager.

“I was on autopilot, just natural instinct kicked in.”

Keith Rigby was stabbed twice during the incident in the back and the arm.

“He had a suspected broken leg at first but it’s not broken just very swollen,” said Chris, who also has a four-year-old daughter, Isabella.

He was released from hospital on Friday night. Chris also received an injury to his face.

“I’m fine,” he said, “It’s just one of those things.

“My wife is obviously upset about it.”

Police investigating the attempted robbery are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

The incident happened at around 4pm on Friday at Metcalfe, Kime & Co in Langham House on Allensway in Thornaby.

A motorbike, which was missing a registration plate, was abandoned at the scene and two men made off on foot.

An extensive area search was carried out with assistance from air support and the dog section.

Three men aged 23, 22 and 20 were arrested on suspicion of robbery.

They have now been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Any witnesses or anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Amy Campbell from the major crime team on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.