A nightclub boss was stabbed in the stomach while playing peacemaker in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Karl Ahmad, 56, has undergone major surgery after suffering serious knife injuries in the attack outside Vivid in Herne Bay’s High Street.

The dad-of-four, who has owned the club for seven years, was stabbed by a man who had reportedly been thrown out by doormen at about 2.45am.

His long-term partner, Debbie Whitehead, said: "There was an argument outside the club and Karl was trying to calm it down, but this woman punched him in the face.

“Her brother walked off and came back and stabbed Karl in the stomach with a knife. I couldn’t believe it.

“We’re just trying to make a living and give people somewhere to come and enjoy themselves, and then this happens. It’s the last thing you expect.”

Bleeding from his stomach, Mr Ahmad was taken upstairs to a storeroom and an ambulance was called.

He was treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital.

“He was in major surgery yesterday for three hours, but he’s stable now,” Mrs Whitehead said.

“The doctors have been brilliant and he was seen really quickly.

“They’ve said he’ll probably be in for a week, but it could be longer.

“The police are coming to speak to him today.”

Mrs Whitehead, who lives in Essex with Mr Ahmad and their children, says the suspect had been ejected by bouncers after having a row with another reveller inside the club.

Leading the police investigation, DC Dan Mead said: "It appears the victim had tried to intervene in an disturbance outside the club.

"He suffered an injury to his stomach consistent with a knife wound and was taken to a local hospital, where his condition is described as stable."

"We believe there were a number of people in the vicinity who may have witnessed the incident itself or events leading up to it, and I urge them to contact us."

Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference number ZY/30299/17.