Dispute over debt ends in stabbing

A 22-year-old man stabbed in the stomach during a disturbance in Launceston was last night recovering in hospital.

Tasmania Police said the man was stabbed about 7.45pm on Tuesday during a large disturbance over an alleged debt. The incident happened in Ernest St, Kings Meadows.

Police said the man was treated at the Launceston General Hospital and was last night in a stable condition.

Initial information provided to police suggests occupants from a house in Ernest St and another group have had a dispute over an alleged debt.

Detective-Inspector John King said the disturbance had involved a large number of people breaking glass, yelling and screaming.

“On arrival police found Tas Ambulance treating a 22year-old man for a puncture wound to his stomach,” DetInsp King said.

“Launceston CIB have interviewed a number of people and taken statements but at this stage we have not identified who was responsible for causing that wound, so we are really interested in speaking to anyone who may have witnessed that altercation,” he said.

Det-Insp King said police had spoken to about eight people about the incident and that a number of members of both groups were known to police.

“It seems to me that there is some sort of knowledge between the groups that is not being passed to the police,” he said.

Det-Insp King said the wounded man had given a statement and was co-operating with police.

“[But] he has been unable to identify the assailant,” he said.

Police are seeking information from any witnesses.