Tradie mistaken for burglar slashed with knife, say police

A tradesman working late at a shop in Geraldton was mistaken for a robber and slashed with a knife, suffering serious injury, say police.

The incident happened about 10.35pm yesterday in Marine Terrace.

Police said the 35-year-old was doing renovation work with another tradesman and had been given a key to access toilets at a shop next door.

It is alleged a male employee working in that shop, fearing he was about to be robbed, slashed at the tradesman's wrist with a knife as he reached through a gate to unlock it.

Police said the tradesman would need treatment in Perth.

A 51-year-old Mt Tarcoola man has been charged with unlawful wounding and will appear before Geraldton Magistrate's Court at a later date.

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