A FATHER-OF-THREE is being treated in hospital after being stabbed as he tackled burglars in his home.

A FATHER-OF-THREE is being treated in hospital after being stabbed as he tackled burglars in his home.

The man, believed to be college lecturer James Napier, 47, from Bober Court, Colchester, confronted two men at 11pm on Thursday after they broke in and demanded money.

Essex Police said the victim, who is in a stable condition in hospital, may have been "wrongly targeted".

"He received a number of wounds to his body, especially his leg and back,' said a spokeswoman.

"Police are seeking the weapon used, which is believed to be a knife. Police also believe the property may have been wrongly targeted by the men.'

Neighbours said the man lived at the terraced house with his wife. They said he has three grown up children - a son aged about 26 and two daughters, aged in their early 20s.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said the victim worked as a college lecturer.

He said: "Most of us have lived around here all our lives and what has happened is a real shock. I grew up with his son and it's a really nice family.'

Detective Sergeant Mark Merry, of Essex Police, said: "The man and his family are extremely distressed. It was a shocking level of violence.'

The attackers, both white and in their late teens or early 20s, fled empty handed, police said.

The robbers are described as both white, one was 6ft tall, aged in his late teens or early twenties and wearing a padded jacket with the hood up, and a peaked cap.

The second was around 5ft 6ins tall and also wearing a hooded top.

Anyone with information is asked to call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.