A pensioner was able to fight off an attacker in a laundromat using a pair of jeans he just taken out of the tumble dryer.
Ron Croker had finished his laundry at Coin-Op Launderette in Maltby, near Rotherham, when the suspect burst in.
Instead of capitulating, the retired trade foreman fought back.
The 84-year-old said the mugger shouted and swore at him, ordering him to give up his wallet.
Ron Croker fought off the attacker in the laundry
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He told the Daily Mail: “I had a pair of jeans and shirt in my hand and that’s when he started flying through the door at me.
“I didn’t have any fear when he was coming screaming at me. I can scream loud and I just started yelling back at him.”
After the mugger tried to reach for his wallet, Croker used his denim jeans he whipped the man across the face and managed to force him to step backwards.
He added: “When I swung at him he stepped back and I caught him. I shoved him out the shop and he nearly went through the door.”
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Retired trade foreman Ron Croker didn’t cower in the face of danger
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It was only after he turned around, calmly refolded his jeans and began to walk back towards his laundry bag when the attacker returned.
He then picked up the jeans again in his left hand. His assailant then backed out the door for a second time.
Croker added: “I said to him through door if you come back in here I said, ‘I’m gonna f***ing kill you; though I didn’t feel like I really would.
“I have never experienced nowt like that in my life…I’ve had fights and scuffled when I was younger but when he was coming at me I thought I couldn’t back down; there was no one there to help me.
“It was either me or him and I won. When I were a kid, say 14 or 15, I learnt how to look after myself.
“He just picked on the wrong bloke. He wanted my money and I wasn’t giving it to him.”
South Yorkshire Police said that Lloyd Smith, 42, had been charged with attempted robbery in connection with the incident.
He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on February 7.
A fundraiser has been set up by Carl Goodfellow to raise money for Croker and his family. The fundraiser said: “I’m reaching out to ask for your support in helping an elderly gentleman from our community who recently went through a tough experience at the laundrette.
“Every donation will make a real difference in his life, whether it’s getting him laundry facilities at home to enjoy or something nice to brighten his day.”
To donate to the fundraiser, click here.