A WOMAN was attacked by a masked thug wielding a metal bar outside a Marsden shop.
Farzana Jabin, 33, was hit on the arm by the attacker as he tried to force his way into The Paper Shop at Peel Street.
But the thug ran off empty-handed after Ms Jabin screamed at him.
She spoke of the ordeal as police stepped up the hunt for the attacker, who was wearing a black balaclava when he struck on Friday July 1.
Detectives believe he was lying in wait for Ms Jabin, who was helping out at the shop run by her parents.
She said: “We normally close at 6pm, but that night was a big Euromillions night and I stayed late.
“It was about 6.20pm when I went out of the back to put out some papers and he came down off the staircase leading to offices over the shop.
“He shouted at me to get back inside, but I refused. He swung a long metal rod at me and hit me on the arm, but we struggled and I screamed because I realised there were people heading to the pub nearby.
“He ran off down the alley.
“It was very frightening but I think he must have been lying in wait for someone to come out.”
Police believe someone must have seen the man either before or after the attack, as the shop is in the centre of Marsden, which was busy at the time.
The thug was said to be white, slim and in his mid to late teens.
He was wearing a black teeshirt, black trousers and black trainers and had a black balaclava covering his face.
Anyone who can help should contact Det Con Jo Sharp at Huddersfield CID on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers, which can be phoned anonymously on 0800 555 111.
