Launderette robber fought off with pair of jeans

A pensioner has spoken about how he fought off a mugger with the aid of a pair of jeans.

Ron Croker, 84, was drying his clothes at the Coin-Op Launderette in Maltby, near Rotherham, on the morning of 7 January when a masked thug burst in and demanded money.

Thinking the man could be carrying a knife, Ron grabbed his newly folded jeans, wrapped them around his hand and arm and shoved the attacker back.

"I've worked all my life for my money. He's not having it," Mr Croker said.

Mr Croker was using a tumble dryer at 07:00 GMT when the man entered the unstaffed premises.

"I was at the dryer putting my coins in when he smashed his way in and shouted 'give me your wallet'.

"He kept on shouting and swearing at me so I thought, I'm going to shout back."

After a brief scuffle, Mr Croker managed to push the assailant back towards the door with his jeans wrapped tightly around his hand.

"I gave him an almighty shove and he went rolling into the road."

Mr Croker sustained bruises to his hands and arm in the incident but otherwise escaped without losing his wallet or any other items.

But he admits the experience has left him "shaken" and "struggling to sleep".

"I do think about it when it's quiet at night. That's when the thoughts come. But I don't regret it."

The response from the community of Maltby has also been "overwhelming" for Mr Croker and his wife Valerie.

"It's like I'm famous all of a sudden. But I'm still me. I'm still Ron Croker"

A fundraiser to support Mr Croker has also been set up and more than £2,000 has been donated.

Carl Goodfellow, who started the page, said: "Let's spread some joy into this man's life and show him he is not alone."

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 7 February.

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