Paperboy stabbed in the back

A paperboy who was stabbed in the back during his paper round by thieves who stole 70p is recovering in hospital, Essex police have said.

The 15-year-old was attacked by two men in Westcliffe-on-Sea near Southend.

He had been delivering free newspapers in Ronald Park Avenue when he was approached by two men.

He was stabbed in the lower back and received a cut to the ear before the men ran off.

The teenager had only 70p on him as he was delivering free newspapers.

The men also stole his Walkman.

He had earlier been verbally abused by the men outside a convenience store in Westborough Road, officers said.

He is extremely shocked and was very lucky the knife didn't do more damage Essex Police

The boy was given three stitches to his back wound and had the injury to his ear treated at Southend Hospital.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: "He is extremely shocked and was very lucky the knife didn't do more serious damage."

The suspect with the knife is described as about 18, 5 ft 10 in to six feet tall and was wearing a red and white scarf and a hooded top.

The second man wore a hooded top.