A PENSIONER was hailed a hero last night after being stabbed while confronting a man who was allegedly threatening a young family.The 67-year-old intervened in a dispute where a woman and her five children were allegedly being threatened on their own property in Forest Road, Chelmsford.

A PENSIONER was hailed a hero last night after being stabbed while confronting a man who was allegedly threatening a young family.

The 67-year-old intervened in a dispute where a woman and her five children were allegedly being threatened on their own property in Forest Road, Chelmsford.

It is claimed the assailant had grabbed a six-year-old boy and was holding a knife to his throat. When the man intervened he was stabbed in the arm.

The boy was later pronounced fit and well and suffered only a minor scratch in the dramatic ordeal.

Yesterday a spokeswoman for Essex Ambulance Service said the stab victim had been taken to hospital.

An ambulance had arrived on scene within three minutes of the emergency services being contacted at around 3.30pm yesterday , the spokeswoman added.

Another ambulance arrived later to examine the boy who had been threatened.

Paramedic Kellie Todd said: "We bandaged the man's arm. He was having trouble gripping, so there may be tendon damage.

"His neighbour was a mum with five kids, and she said she was very grateful to him."

The man was taken to Broomfield Hospital and is expected to be released later today.

The young boy suffered only a very minor scratch to his neck and had been shaken up by what had happened.

Last night a spokesman for Essex Police confirmed that a man had been arrested in connection with the incident.