A 48-YEAR-OLD man has tonight been charged following a stabbing in Bexleyheath Broadway.

John Paul Clarke, of Southcote Road in Bournemouth, was charged this evening with grievous bodily harm with intent.

He will appear in custody at Bromley Magistrates Court tomorrow morning.

News Shopper previously reported how an off-duty police officer helped arrest and disarm Clarke following the stabbing last night.

Officers believe an argument took place between two men near McDonald’s just before 8.15pm before one of them left the scene, returned with a knife and stabbed the other in the stomach.

The victim, aged 47, was treated at the scene and taken to hospital where he remains in a stable, non-life-threatening condition.

Following the attack, Clarke ran away down the Broadway towards the clock tower still holding on to the knife.

He was then confronted by an off-duty Met Police sergeant based in Southwark who was on his way in to work for a night duty shift.

The sergeant apprehended him and forced him to put the knife down before he was arrested.

A large section of the Broadway was cordoned off after the incident.

An eye-witness posted on Facebook: "Omg i was at Bexleyheath and I was waiting at the bus stop to go home and then I hear someone shout 'PUT THE KNIFE DOWN' so I turn around and there's some guy holding a knife right behind me and a police officer shouting.

"Proper scared me but im fine aha, some other guy just leaped on his back and handcuffed him then they checked his pockets and he had drugs aswell."

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Staff arrived within four minutes and treated one patient, a man. He was conscious and was treated and stabilised before being taken to hospital with a doctor from the air ambulance."

Bexley Borough Commander, Superintendent Peter Ayling, added: "This was an appalling attack that left a man with serious injuries. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.

"I would like to pay tribute to the officer whose quick thinking and courage led to the detention of the attacker.”

Did you see what happened? E-mail newsroom@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01689 885734.