AN Abbotts Ann man was brutally mugged in broad daylight for just £30 at a cash point in Winchester on Saturday morning.
Ironically, Chris Thomas, aged 44, says he would have just handed the money over if the mugger had asked.
The attack happened as he was withdrawing money at the Natwest cashpoint in Andover Road at about 11.30am.
His attacker first jogged past him and then waited beside him. As the cash emerged, the mugger, who wore a wrist band which police believe covered a knuckleduster, hit Mr Thomas just below his right eye.
His partner Gloria Alcozer, who was waiting in the car, managed to get in the way of the mugger and grab him, but the man pulled away and ran off towards the city centre.
Passers-by stopped to help, calling the police and an ambulance, as well as chasing after the mugger.
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"I was bleeding a lot and the ambulance people said I was extremely lucky," said Mr Thomas.
"If I had been hit an inch higher I would have been blinded and an inch lower I would have lost my teeth."
The attack left him with mild concussion, a black eye and bruising to his nose and cheek.
"The thing is if he had just threatened me for the money I would have given it to him. How dare someone think they have the right to do that to another person?"
Ms Alcozer, aged 52, added: "Whatever circumstances made him steal from Chris, it doesn't give him the right to do it.
"We all have problems and issues, it's no excuse for what that man did," she said.
The couple, who only moved to Abbotts Ann a few months ago, are now hoping CCTV will be installed in the area to prevent future muggings. "As I was walking to the cashpoint I was thinking about getting out more money, like £100," Mr Thomas said.
"I'm just glad I changed my mind and decided £30 would be enough. It's not going to change the way I live my life. I'm not going to be scared of using cashpoints. I'll just be a lot more wary."
Police are appealing for anyone in the area between 11.30am and 12noon, and who may have seen the robber to come forward. He is described as white, aged between 25 and 35 between 5ft 11ins and 6ft 1in tall, of muscular build and with short brown hair.
Anyone with information should call Winchester Priority Crime Team on 0845 045 4545.
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