Gay Australian Man Survives Brutal Cleaver Attack by Robbers

An Australian man survived a brutal attack by a pair of meat cleaver-wielding robbers who threatened to castrate him when they realized he was gay.

New South Wales resident Joseph Stanislav was attacked in his home on Feb. 29, reported Australian newspaper the .

Stanislav described his terrifying ordeal to the press:

They asked for my money, then one of them went through my men's carry-bag and my medicine bag. I had $150, and I had a packet of Valium and Endone in my medicine bag...

Then one of theme said, "What's this? This is makeup you faggot!"

The chilling account got even darker at that point, as Stanislav recalled:

Then their eyes went black. Both their eyes went black. He told me to show him my bank statement. I had to reach for my phone to get the statement up, but when I reached for it the guy with the meat-cleaver jumped and smashed me in the face.

Stanislav described the sensation of the meat cleaver striking his head, telling the press, "I felt the cold blade go straight into my forehead, my nose and my eyes."

Despite his terror and his injuries, Stanislav remained collected. Recalled the victim: "I had to keep my composure, otherwise these guys were going to kill me. Then one of them held up the knife and said, 'Just do as you're told or we're going to cut your cock off. We'll make you into a real girl.' "

When help arrived at his home, Stanislav was treated at the scene, the newspaper account said.

The pair of alleged perpetrators - Thomas Bowen-Hughes, 21, and Jay Ehlrich, 18 - have both been arrested and remain in police custody. The newspaper story said they have been denied bail.

A friend has set up a GoFundMe page to help Stanislav. Photos of his gashed face, and also a deep gash to his arm, appear on the page.