Dead lucky
My Dad thought he was going to be mugged once, in broad daylight in Finchley FFS! He was walking along minding his own business when he sensed/heard a yoof coming up behind him a bit too quickly to be natural. Luckily he was nearly home and quickened his own pace...the yoof sped up and called out:

'Hey, Dad, slow down!', yep, 'twas me.

My worst encounter was not too bad at the time but got progressively worse. (If I apologise for length in advance, will the judge take it into consideration?). Here goes.

I was young, in love and 22 yrs old and broke and living in Acton. I needed money so took the first job I found. Night shift at the 7-11 in Kings Street, Hammersmith. Not too bad considering, but one night at around 2am a young black youth came into the shop and the other guy on with me, who was Nigerian, told me that the black guy was barred from the shop for shoplifting, and I should chuck him out. I walked round the counter and confronted the guy. Now I'm not tall (5'7" since you ask) and this kid was about the same, and a few years younger than me. I told him he was barred and would he please leave. Instead, he stepped right up to me with his face about six inches from mine and said "What if you was barred from the hospital cos you was in the cemetary?" or words to that effect. While I was churning over the exact meaning of his interesting metaphor I said something else like, "Well, it's not down to me, but I can't serve you, so can you go please." (should have become a diplomat!). Long story short, he left. Local cops dropped in soon after - only shop open for poor beat bobbies - and we told them this tale. They went looking for him - they knew who he was - and found him not far off. He pulled a knife on the copper!

This 15 yr old kid was well known to the fuzz and they tried to get me to testify in court that he threatened my life. When I found out they say "Are you Mr Che Grimsdale of 145 Short Lane, London" I decided to decline.

Not funny I know, unless you've ever met me and you try to picture me facing up a 15 yr old knife wielding gansta. Still, I've now got an office job while he's probably either dead or in prison...or possibly a successful drug baron.
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Tue 20 Jun 2006, 11:25, Reply)