Notebook in pocket saves policeman’s life

SYDNEY - It was a notebook that saved his life. An Australian policeman is happy to be alive after an attacker lunged to stab him in the heart, but the knife could only penetrate a notebook kept in his shirt’s left pocket.

The incident occurred when police went to a house in Austinmer town on the New South Wales coast to speak with a 39-year-old man about an alleged assault Saturday.

While at the house, the man ran inside and refused to come out. Police continued to talk to the man, when he suddenly opened the door and lunged at a chief inspector with a 30 cm knife, stabbing him in the chest.

The knife tore through the officer’s shirt, but could only penetrate a notebook tucked in his left pocket, Australian news agency AAP reported Sunday.

The man was arrested and charged with attempted murder, use of a weapon to prevent lawful detention and assault leading to actual bodily harm.