A VIOLENT thug attacking a shopkeeper never expected to come face-to-face with a superhero.

But as Gerard Smith went `berserk' in a Manchester newsagents, passer-by Kevin Godin-Prior lifted his jumper to reveal a Spiderman costume and told him: "You don't know who you're dealing with."

Have-a-go-hero Kevin was on his way to a charity fundraiser dressed as the cult comic character when he called at the shop in Gorton.

As he walked in, he saw Smith lashing out and abusing the shopkeeper.

Kevin, 53, revealed his secret identity, fought off a series of attacks and then forced Smith outside, refusing to let go until the police arrived.

"He was threatening the shopkeeper and abusing him," said mortgage consultant Kevin. "He was being a drunken yob. I tried to cajole him out of the shop, but he rushed me and banged my head against a display cabinet.

"He tried to throttle me, but I managed to detain him outside until the police came.

"I wouldn't let him go. I just stayed with him until he was run ragged."

Father-of-two Kevin went to hospital with injuries to his head and neck, but wasn't seriously hurt.

He added: "I just happened to be going out to a charity event - which I do quite a lot - and I had on my Spiderman costume.

"I just managed to get free from his grip because he had been trying to throttle me.

"I said to him: `You've made a big mistake here, mate. You don't know who you are dealing with'.

"Then I lifted the jumper. His jaw just dropped when he saw the Spiderman outfit. But he still decided to come at me. It was quite a sustained attack."

When police arrived they arrested Smith, 42, of Elsdon Drive, Gorton.

At Manchester magistrates court, Smith pleaded guilty to two charges of assault in the shop on Hyde Road on February 23 - on Kevin and on a woman.

Smith was ordered to carry out a 12-month community punishment order, pay each victim £250 and pay the court £300 costs.

Kevin said: "I simply did what felt to be right at the time, as safely as I could for me and the others.

"This guy needs to be kept off the streets and straightened out, along with all the other drunks and yobs who make life a misery for decent people.

"I hope this inspires others to do the same - carefully - rather than back out."

Kevin was nominated for an M.E.N-sponsored Neighbourhood Spirit Award in 2004 for his citizen arrests.

It is thought he has made in the region of 30 citizen arrests over the years.

He has clung to the bonnet of a car to try to stop a hit-and-run driver escaping and has also chased gangs of youths trying to steal cars near his home.