I am typing this with one hand, as my other is in a bandage. Not a sling, because I have not broken my arm. A bandage, because last night I was stabbed.
Not with a switchblade, but with a broken beer bottle. I was mugged coming back from a club in London. I was alone, and was stopped by a lone yob, around 18-22 in age. He asked for my wallet, which I refused to give him. He then threatened me with a smashed beer bottle, holding it by the neck and then slashing through the air with it. I refused, figuring that if he made a move then I could run (I run for a proffesional club, and I reckon I can out-sprint a violent yob). He reached for me. Somewhat stupidly, I went to punch him, and came on the wrong end of the bottle. It made a slash up my left arm, quite deep. I ran, and I ran damn fast. He tried to throw the bottle at me, but I ducked under it. I got away, and went to A+E straight away. I was kept for a few hours, in which the police spoke to me, then I came home.
I am not telling you this story to make myself seem 'cool' or 'tough'. I am telling you this because I am damn disgusted with street crime. I have been jumped a few times in London, but never been as seriously hurt as this. However, once is enough. Did you know that you're more likely to get mugged in London that New York? I was wondering if anyone else lives in an area of vicious muggings.

Man, sorry to hear that. I'm glad you're OK overall, that's what matters.
Five years ago, I was headed out to meet some friends for a day-trip. We were heading out at 6am, so I was on the road by 5 to meet them. Excited about our day at the beach, I pulled into a gas-station, and filled up. A man, a bit older than I approached and asked for a ride. It was raining lightly, and I was in a great mood, so I let him in the car, and headed down the road. we chit-chatted for about 10 minutes, then I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye. He had pulled a knife.
He sat on my right, and held the knife in his right hand, so he was having to twist his body to try and reach me. I slammed the brakes, and back-fisted him with my right arm.

I jumped out of the car, grabbing my keys when I did. He sat still trying to figure out what to do, finally moving to the driver's seat. Meanwhile, I opened my trunk, and pulled out a three-foot long prybar, which I used at work.

He moved back to the passenger side when I approached, and jumped out of the car. I was shocked to see that I had shattered his nose from my first blow, and he was bawling. Blood was pouring out, and he was hysterical.

He pleaded for help. I frisked him, threw the knife away, and drove him to the hospital. I was late for my meeting, and my friends left without me. :(

I do dude, the part of the city i live in has a very bad rep. A couple of guys once tried to mug me when i returned from the bank late at night, they pulled a knife at me, but i'm prepared for those kind of things. Like you i'm not saying this to look tough or anything like that, it's just that i refuse to be a victim !

i agree. i was jumped by two black guys in my town on my way back from a bar. they wanted my wallet and wedding ring, but all they got was some elbows and knees. i have studied muay-thai for a little while, and having a few drinks in me, made me a little numb. i still had motor skills, so i was able to fight, just didnt feel the hits, heh. i got home, WITH my wallet and ring, plus bruised ribs, a swollen eye, and split knuckles. my wife nearly freaked out, until i told her that one had to help the other limp away after i kicked him in the knee. im just glad that THEY were drunk too. if they were sober, and i was buzzed like that, im sure i would have been DESTROYED!!!

anyway, the point(s) of this response is:

A) im sorry that this happened to you, and i hope that you are ok.
B) that i know exactly what you mean about street crime, and it NEEDS to stop.
C) i also wanted to post about MY experience, because it happened not too long ago. i REALLY hate those who have no jobs, lives, etc. and blame hard working citizens like you and i for their misfortune. then try to rob you because you have something that they want/need, but dont want to work to get. i think you did well in NOT giving him what he wanted, though it COULD have been alot worse. alot of martial-artists and self defense instructors will tell you to just give them the wallet, money and cards can be replaced, but your life cant. i agree, to an extent. if i CAN take them, i will, JUST to show them a lesson. a lesson they more than likely will forget, but a lesson none the less. good job man. [img]graemlins/ninja.gif[/img]

Sorry to hear this Horatio. London is a dangerous city. I have to say that I've never been mugged although one bloke asked me if I had any money one night. I said 'yes thank you' he said 'I'll just see if my gun is working' and I laughed.

I sometimes wonder how many times muggers have looked at me as a victim. It helps that I am a man mountain.

The most vulnerable people in London are young males returning from a night's drinking.

Dude that sucks. I guess I am lucky to live in a small town.

I am sorry about what happen to you though.

Good job morgan. Most street thugs are not prepared for leg kicks. I used to live around alot of druggys but luckily no one ever came after me.

I think as the economy gets worse, crime gets worse and more violent. I used to work for the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) a few years back. I was dispatched to a robbery at a local convenience store one night at approx 2:00 am. I was the first to arrive on scene, and policy was no weapons drawn unless in physical danger. I didn't see anyone in the store except the clerk behind the counter. I went into the store, thinking that the perp had left, but it turns out the clerk was unconcious behind the counter and the perp was wearing his uniform.
I was shot twice, once in the back and once in the neck which ended my career. After 2 years of surgery and rehab, I walk with a slight limp, but I am still alive.
The moral? There really isn't one I just wanted to let you know that even "proffessional crime fighters" are subject to violence just as much, if not more than regular people.
I hope your okay, man, just don't walk home from a bar at that time. Many thugs and punks are waiting when bars let out just for that reason. Many people who leave bars at closing are intoxicated and their judgement and reason are impaired.
And Morgan, you were lucky. The best thing to do is give them whatever they want period, because it's not worth your life. You have no idea, what the muggers MO is or what kind of weapons they have. A leg kick can't beat a bullet.

It can if you kick really, really, really, hard :D

Do you wear a blue suit with a big S on the front by any chance?