77-year-old man fights off attempted mugger at cash machine

A pensioner has succesfully fought off a mugger at a cash machine: South Wales Police
A pensioner has succesfully fought off a mugger at a cash machine: South Wales Police

A "courageous" 77-year-old has successfully fought off a masked attacker who attempted to rob him at a cash machine.

Footage showed the would-be robber suddenly grab the pensioner as he withdrew cash outside a Sainsbury's supermarket in Cardiff on 5 February.

After a brief tussle, the man squared up to his attacker – who was demanding his cash and bank card – throwing several punches before the cowed suspect made off empty-handed.

"The victim in this case showed great bravery, however he has been left shaken," said Detective Constable Stephen Mayne, from South Wales Police.

"We would encourage anyone who knows him to please come forward."

The suspect was a white man carrying a black rucksack and wearing a high-vis vest and black hat with a white motif on the front.

"What a courageous guy! Hope he’s doing ok," Crimestoppers' Wales manager Ella Rabaiotti wrote on Twitter in an appeal for information.

"Detectives have been checking in on him and he's doing okay," a South Wales Police spoksperson added on Tuesday.

"He was shocked and very shaky after the incident, but thankful nothing worse had happened."

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to please contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting occurrence number *043939.

Additional reporting by PA

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