A DISABLED man fought back when he was attacked trying to foil a cashpoint scam.

Stephen Beerling, who has one leg, spotted a "skimmer" device, which records details of cash cards, as he used the cashpoint machine outside the Halifax, in High Street, Maidstone.

As the 49-year-old former Royal Navy serviceman pulled off the device, a man came up to him and demanded he hand it over.

"I knew what it was, so I put it in my pocket," said Mr Beerling. "This guy was saying: 'You're a dead man, I'm going to kill you.'"

A second man arrived and tried to pull Mr Beeling's wallet from his back pocket.

"The one who had his hand in my back pocket got the biggest head-butt he has ever had in his life. I went to head the other one and a guy who was walking past gave a shout. By this time, I was on the deck."

A number of passers-by chased the two offenders towards Pudding Lane.

Det Ch Insp Tim Smith said: "We commend Mr Beerling for spotting the skimming device on the machine. He was extremely observant to realise what it was so quickly.

"However, we would urge anyone else who spots this type of device to go into the bank and alert members of staff and then contact the police."