A DOORMAN last night described how a drunken yob stabbed him in the stomach for being turned away from a busy Oxford pub.

Lee Donnelly was attacked outside the Four Candles, in George Street, at about 12.45am yesterday.

His attacker fled along the street.

Police are hoping that hundreds of people enjoying a night out may have seen him and can help identify the attacker.

Mr Donnelly, 39, had turned away the man because he was too drunk, but he returned an hour later to stab the doorman.

Last night, the Gosford All Blacks rugby player was recovering at his home in Botley.

He said he was determined to return to work as soon as possible.

Describing the moment he was attacked, he said: “I said to him ‘have you calmed down now, mate?’.

“He didn’t say anything. He lurched at me and stabbed me in the stomach and ran away.

“It felt like a nasty bee sting, but I knew straight away I had been stabbed.

“I took my jacket and shirt off and held the wound tight as I could, but lots of blood was coming out.

“It was dripping all over the floor.”

The knife did not pierce any of Mr Donnelly’s organs and he was allowed home from the John Radcliffe Hospital at 4pm yesterday.

Officers had cordoned off a section of the pavement outside the pub and a telephone box in nearby Gloucester Green yesterday morning.

The attacker was described as white, aged about 20, 5ft 8in tall, and of medium build.

He had dark hair and was wearing a dark blue or black long-sleeve top, dark blue jeans and white training shoes.

Mr Donnelly added: “I’m not going to let things like this stop me.

“It’s the first time in 16 years on the doors in the city this has happened. After a few days off, I will be back at work.”

Andrew Day, manager of Ace Security, which employs Mr Donnelly, said: “He has been working on the doors for years and is a big loveable character. He’s really nice, jovial guy and well known around town.

“It’s disappointing, but this is the line of work we’re involved in. This is one of the dangers door staff face.”

Staff closed the pub immediately after the attack, but it reopened shortly after 9am yesterday.

A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon, which owns the Four Candles, said: “Incidents like this are rare. However, they are very distressing for the company, for the staff and customers.

“We extend our best wishes to the doorman and his family and trust he makes a speedy recovery.”

Mr Donnelly, from Botley, also plays for Gosford All Blacks second team.

Club director Andy Baulch said: “He’s a tough chap but a very, very nice man. We wish him all the best.”

Police are checking CCTV footage from the pub and have recovered the weapon.

Det Sgt Matt Jarman, of Oxford CID, said: “After the incident the assailant left the area but there were a lot of people in the street at that time of night who would have seen him and I urge them to come forward.”

Anyone with information should call Det Sgt Jarman on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.