NSW: Terrified man tells of attack

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2005
NSW: Terrified man tells of attack

SYDNEY, Feb 10 AAP - A man robbed of his watch at gunpoint while walking towards a
Sydney train station in the morning peak says he initially thought his attacker was joking.

Asking to be known only as Paul, the man said he was approached by another man who
asked for a light for a cigarette about 6.45am (AEDT) on January 11.

The man had approached as Paul walked to Harris Park railway station on his way to
work in the city. He was about 10 metres behind Paul when he was first noticed.

"I just turned away and in a few seconds he was at my neck," the 34-year-old told reporters.

"Initially I thought he was just joking. I though maybe it was a finger or something
on my neck, but not actually a pistol.

"When I indicated, 'Look mate I don't have any money', he said 'Look, I'm not joking.

This is a real gun'."

Once he realised the man had a gun Paul said he was "more scared than anything".

"Also in my mind I was running quite quickly and I was thinking of different scenarios
and I just wanted the whole thing to end at that point," Paul said.

NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney labelled the attack cowardly, but said the mugger
could strike again.

"This cowardly attack on an ordinary citizen going about an everyday task going to
work - wanton, brazen, cowardly in every way - is an attack not only on the individual
but is an attack on each and every person in the state," Mr Moroney told reporters.

"I have a confirmed concern this offender may reoffend again and on the next occasion
the level of crime that he commits may be far more serious."

Mr Moroney appealed for public assistance in catching the offender.

He could not recall any other recent incidents where a gun had been used in a mugging.

AAP mk/smb/kp/cjh/sd

KEYWORD: WATCH LEAD

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