A PROFESSIONAL martial arts fighter tried valiantly to defend himself from two violent muggers who attacked him for his mobile phone and laptop as he ran along a Walcot street.

21-year-old Ben Bullock was jogging home from Muay Thai training through Cumberland Road at around 10.30pm on Wednesday, when two men on mountain bikes approached him.

Quick-thinking Ben managed to swerve the first punch and wrestle one man off his bike. But after tripping on the pavement he was set upon by the second, punched and kicked repeatedly to the head and groin.

“I was running with my headphones in listening to music, in the zone,” said Ben. “The one in front tried to sucker punch me, but I slipped right to avoid it and grabbed the guy off his bike.

“At that point I tripped on a kerb and went down in to the road. While I was holding on to the first guy, I got kicked to the back of the head by the second.

“The next thing I knew I was being repeatedly kicked to the head and the groin. One of them put his hand in my pocket and took my phone while the other was punching and kicking me to the head.”

The pair took off on their bikes with Ben’s black Samsung Ace 3 phone and red Dr Dre Beats laptop in a blue pull-bag. Determined not to be robbed, he chased them along Burford Avenue, eventually seeing them disappear down Eastern Avenue.

“It all happened really quickly,” he said. “When I am running with head down and headphones in, I am in the zone and nothing usually bothers me.

“Luckily I had the quick reactions to slip the initial punch, but it was unfortunate I tripped on the kerb. I only live around the corner and I went to my mum’s house, where my dad answered the door. They were just in total shock because you can imagine parents worry about their kids, no matter how old they get.”

Ben, who is studying motor vehicle maintenance at Swindon College, was treated at Great Western Hospital with multiple cuts to the head.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “A 21-year-old man was walking alone when two men on bikes came towards him and attempted to punch him in the face.

“An altercation followed and the victim was kicked in the head and the groin several times. As a result, the male sustained minor head injuries and required treatment at the Great Western Hospital.

“During the incident, the victim’s mobile phone was stolen from his pocket, as well as his bag containing a laptop, headphones and keys.”

Police are carrying out a thorough investigation and are appealing to anybody who was in the Walcot area during this time and may have witnessed the incident to call 101 immediately.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred.