THE 65-year-old victim of an armed robbery has told how he was brutally attacked with a metal bar as he lay prone and defenceless on the floor.

Roger Wilkinson was hit over the back three times in the attack at the Heatons Sports Club, on Green Lane, Heaton Moor.

He and fellow member Rick Denby were waiting for the club steward, Bruce Derbyshire, to close the bar when five men - two armed with machetes, the other with metal bars - burst in screaming at them to get on the floor.

Although Roger and Rick did exactly that, both were still brutally beaten with bars while Bruce emptied the safe and till. It is believed the robbers fled with around £4,000.

Father-of-two Roger, from Heaton Moor, said: "One swiped at me on the side with an iron bar, as I fell forward he hit me across the back, I was cowering on the floor frightened.

"It was quite traumatising. You don’t argue with people carrying machetes and iron bars. It could have been worse if I was hit on the head, that’s what I was worried about. They are scumbags, to beat someone up when they are defenceless and putting up no opposition makes me angry. I’d break their legs."

Both Roger and Rick escaped with just bruising from the attack, which happened on March 30 at around 10.45pm.

The robbers tried to steal Roger’s car but were unable to start it so ran off towards Oakley Villas, where it is believed they drove off in a getaway car. All five were wearing balaclavas and gloves.

Roger, who works as an accountant, added: "Nothing like this has happened to me before. It’s made me more wary of people who are wearing hoodies or something covering their face." The club has now stepped up security to avoid a repeat.

Anyone with any information can contact Stockport CID on 856 9744 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.