A man sitting outside State Library Victoria was stabbed in the neck and ear when he refused to handover his mobile and the attacker is now on the run.
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The victim, 25, from Newcastle in New South Wales was sitting on a bench outside the library at 5.45am on Saturday when the attacker demanded he hand over his phone.
When he refused the attacker physically assaulted the Newcastle man.
While the victim was defending himself, the offender produced a knife and stabbed the victim several times in the neck and ear.
The victim was well enough to chase after the attacker who ran from outside the State Library south down Swanston Street towards Bourke Street.
The victim was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
A State Library spokesman confirmed the Kids Big Book Spectacular, featuring acclaimed author Leigh Hobbs, would continue as planned from 11am to 3pm on Saturday.
"The event is still on and we expect and hope to see thousands of kids at the event," he said.
The offender, described by the victim as of African appearance, has not yet been located and police are appealing for witnesses.
