A GRANDFATHER has today spoken of his family's nightmare ordeal after his son was stabbed in an Ipswich street. Ron Littlewood and his wife Brenda spent three anxious hours at Ipswich Hospital as they waited for news of their son Shaun as he was treated by surgeons for wounds inflicted in the attack.

A GRANDFATHER has today spoken of his family's nightmare ordeal after his son was stabbed in an Ipswich street.

Ron Littlewood and his wife Brenda spent three anxious hours at Ipswich Hospital as they waited for news of their son Shaun as he was treated by surgeons for wounds inflicted in the attack.

His liver had been pierced during the incident and an operation was needed to repair it.

Mr Littlewood, a cinema projectionist, said: “You never think something like this is going to happen to you or your family. We couldn't believe what had happened.”

Felixstowe dock worker, Shaun Littlewood, 32, and his friend Gary Goldsmith had been ten pin bowling on Friday evening and were walking to The Cricketer's Arms pub in Crown Street when they were attacked in Orwell Street. Both were taken to Ipswich hospital for treatment. Mr Goldsmith was discharged that night.

Five men, three aged 18 and two aged 19 and all from the Ipswich area have been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and grievous bodily harm and have been released on police bail following the incident, which happened close to the Spread Eagle pub at around 7.45pm.

Mr Littlewood, 59, said he was out with his wife Brenda and Shaun's children, Blaine, 8, and Courtney, 6, when they got a call to say he had been attacked.

He said: “We had been out for a pizza with the grandchildren and at about 9.45pm we got a call from Shaun's partner Sarah. She said Shaun was in hospital then she broke down in tears.

“My first thought was “what has he done?” but she said he had been stabbed. I couldn't believe it.”

Mr Littlewood, of Broomhayes in Ipswich said they arrived at Ipswich Hospital to be told their son was being x-rayed and may need surgery.

He said: “For three hours we didn't know what was happening. It was awful. It was a terrible shock. We were in the waiting area when the doctor came out to tell us he had been operated on but nobody had told us.”

The operation was a success and Shaun, a crane driver at Felixstowe docks, is now recovering.

Mr Littlewood said: “We expect him to be in for four or five days. The doctor said he was very fortunate.

“He is sitting up but he is in a lot of pain and is taking painkillers.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the stabbing. Anyone with any information should contact Ipswich police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.