Boy, 16, is knifed in Halesowen attack

A teenager was stabbed in the stomach after refusing to hand over his mobile phone to a robber in Halesowen.

The 16-year-old boy was attacked as he walked along an alleyway, which runs between Frankley Avenue and Howley Grange Road.

A man walked up to him and demanded his mobile phone. When the teenager refused to give it to him, the man struck him in the stomach.

The boy did not realise he had been stabbed until a few moments later.

He was treated in hospital and has now returned home. Police are appealing for witnesses following the attack at around 6.30pm on Friday.

Detective constable Simon Pittaway, of Sandwell and Dudley CID, said: "This lad is lucky that the injury was not more serious.

"The offender came from Howley Grange Road along the alleyway, and left in the same direction, so we are keen to hear from anyone who was in that area and may have seen something.

The attacker is described as a mixed race male, of slim build, around 5ft 9in tall.