A SIX foot five man has spoken of how he stood up to a mugger who held him at gunpoint near his home in Sydenham.
Michael Roberts was returning from a friend’s 40th birthday party when he was told to empty his pockets by a gunman in Knighton Park Road in the early hours of September 2.
The 39-year-old, who lives in the same street, says the "surreal" experience made him feel "laidback" and he challenged his attacker - refusing to hand over his wallet.
The former journalist, who runs his own business called Purleybeds, said: "I am six foot five so I never had any problems before. I have travelled all over the world to weird places and never had any problems.
"He tapped me on the shoulder and I thought he was asking for directions and he asked me to empty my pockets.
"I asked why and he said he had a gun and got it out. I handed the phone over but refused to give him my wallet. I said I would give him cash.
"I didn’t want to go through cancelling all the cards. I just said, ‘There is no way I am giving you the wallet.’"
The thug agreed to the deal and Mr Roberts parted with around £30 cash and was left alone.
He says he did not feel scared at the time but has since taken a taxi to his front door after a night out and is about to buy a dog.
The keen cyclist said: "I wasn’t really scared at all. The weird thing was he was so laidback and it made me quite laidback. It felt surreal - like it was happening to someone else.
"I just never expected to be mugged there. It is very quiet. It is a suburban area with lots of families.
"It has made me think twice. I didn’t think he had made me nervous but now I take a cab all the way home.
"As a side issue, I am getting a dog - I would feel happier walking along with it. Maybe an Alsatian but it is not because of that."
Police are currently investigating the incident and no arrests have yet been made.
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