A 38-year-old former Gurkha soldier in the UK has shown steely courage to hold on to a mugger and help the police arrest him despite suffering a knife wound.





Shop owner Taitex Phlamachha, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and a second-dan black belt in karate, had just been to a cash point with his wife when he was pushed up against a wall and told to 'hand over the money' or get stabbed, the Daily mail reported.



Phlamachha from Maidstone, Kent, and a Gurkha with Maidstone's 36 Engineers for 13 years, said, "I tried to warn him, 'Don't mess with Gurkhas. We're trained to fight.' But he didn't listen".



The tussling pair fell to the ground and the mugger knelt on Phlamachha's chest before trying to stab him in the stomach four or five times.



But the Gurkha blocked him, then disabled the knifeman with a kick before holding on to his clothes with one arm.



During the struggle he was able to free his mobile phone from his pocket and throw it to his wife, who called the police.



Phlamachha was treated for serious injuries at Maidstone Hospital following the incident on October 7, the police said.



Jamie Hall, 39, of Fairmeadow in Maidstone, has been charged with attempted robbery, grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of an offensive weapon and common assault.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said he has been remanded in prison to appear at Maidstone Crown Court for his next hearing.