This is the dramatic moment a personal trainer punched a bike thief and allegedly broke his nose after spotting a duo trying to steal his £8,000 superbike.
Mat Armitage was seen on CCTV footage sprinting out of the gym where he was working in Wallasay Village, Merseyside, before smacking the thief in the face.
The stunned criminal escaped on another stolen bike while his accomplice ran into the road and was almost hit by a passing car on Wednesday last week.
Mr Armitage, from neaby Hoylake, revealed it was the third attempt to steal his prized motorbike – a Suzuki GSXR600 worth up to £8,000 – in a few months.
At the start of the footage two people can be seen on a motorbike coming into shot on the CCTV as they ride along the main road.
Mr Armitage can be heard speaking over the footage, saying: ‘So my bike almost got nicked tonight but I think they were messing with the wrong person.’
The rider of the bike – which was stolen on a previous occasion – stops to let his friend get off so that he can ride away on Mr Armitage’s vehicle.
But, hearing the bike’s engine outside, Mr Armitage – who was with a group of clients inside the gym – is seen sprinting out of the building.
At the start of the CCTV footage two people can be seen on a motorbike coming into shot
The rider stops to let his friend get off so that he can ride away on Mr Armitage’s vehicle
The personal trainer continues: ‘Oh look, there’s me. I know they’re coming. Do you want to get off my bike, lads? Smacked.’
Wearing what appear to be helmets, the duo try to make a quick getaway before Mr Armitage launches a punch towards one of them. He concludes: ‘B******s.’
Speaking about the incident today, he said: ‘As I’m a personal trainer I was with a group of clients at the time, I heard the bike first and as soon as I saw them ride up onto the pavement I knew what their intentions where.
‘I ran out and confronted them, they where shocked to see someone charging at them so the guy on the Aprilia started revving his engine to deter me, which is when I hit him.
‘He crashed into the wall and broke off the brake lever but managed to ride away picking his pal up on the way.
Mr Armitage can be heard speaking over the footage, saying: ‘So my bike almost got nicked’
Hearing the bike’s engine outside, Mr Armitage (top left) is seen sprinting out of the building
‘The police where notified immediately but where unable to track them down. This is the third attempt of it being stolen, so I’m getting a bit p***ed off now!’
Posting the clip online, Mr Armitage wrote: ‘So two lads tried to pinch my bike tonight. Third attempt on its life in a matter of months, Red Tuono, two young lads, one has a broken nose.’
Since posting the dramatic footage online earlier this week it has been viewed by more than 32,000 social media users – with many commenting.
Elizabeth Armitage said: ‘Bloody swines’. Bogdan Pascal wrote: ‘Love your fast fearless reaction!’ Leigh Prout commented: ‘Glad they didn’t get it mate.’
The duo try to make a quick getaway before Mr Armitage launches a punch towards one
Merseyside Police confirmed that an investigation is underway after the attempted theft
Ed Hack responded: ‘Holy crap Mat you’re a superhuman for hearing that coming!’
Merseyside Police confirmed that an investigation is underway after the attempted theft.
The force said the bike the duo were on when they tried to steal Mr Armitage’s vehicle is suspected of having been stolen from an area nearby the previous week.
Local Policing Inspector Paul Harrison said: ‘I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident to get in touch, or if you have seen motorbikes being ridden dangerously in the area or stored locally, let us know.
‘We will act on all information given to recover stolen vehicles and bring those responsible to justice.’