A HERO passer-by karate-kicked a robber to the ground and reunited a woman with her handbag after it had been stolen from her in a terrifying Brook Green attack.

Just 24 hours after he became a British citizen, 60-year-old South African-born Neil Gevisser showed true bulldog spirit to bring down the suspect, who had smashed into the woman's parked car and swiped the bag as she sat alone inside near Brook Green tennis courts.

And, in an amazing coincidence, Mr Gevisser intervened in another violent incident on exactly the same date in 1997, coming to the rescue of a woman who was being strangled by her husband in the hallway of a Manhattan apartment block.

Back then, a simple punch did the trick but this time fearless Mr Gevisser, a poet, was forced to call on his years of martial arts training to launch himself at the Brook Green robber. who dropped the stolen bag before escaping.

Mr Gevisser, who has lived in the area for six years, said modestly: "It was a completely spontaneous action and I don't feel heroic. I know he could have been armed but I'm glad I stepped in."

The drama, which happened at about 3.20pm on February 9, started when Mr Gevisser heard a loud scream and the sound of breaking glass as he was walking near the courts. A man, who he initially thought was a policeman, started running towards him in the wrong direction in the middle of the road.

When the woman began pointing and screaming at the suspect, Mr Gevisser, who learned karate in South Africa, realised what was happening and showed no fear as he catapulted himself towards the assailant's scooter.

The 5ft 8ins hero said: "I saw him put the bag in a box on the back of the scooter and as he was getting on I jumped with both feet at him. The bike span around and threw him to the ground. He came towards me so I gave him a roundhouse to the stomach. At that point I realised he probably wasn't carrying any weapons so I went for the shins and got him hard. I spotted the bag and he hobbled off and then started running - the adrenaline must have got to him."

The robber escaped before the police arrived but Mr Gevisser handed the bag to victim, believed to be in her 30s, while police recovered the scooter, which had earlier been stolen.

Detectives were astounded by Mr Gevisser's actions and enquired if he was an off-duty officer, while bystanders applauded his courageous actions. Friend Emma Elliot said his bravery was extraordinary in an age when 'good samaritans are a dying breed'.

Bur Mr Gevisser, an anti-apartheid writer who was forced out of his homeland in the 1970s, brushed off the praise and said if more people fought crime, the world would be a safer place.

"Where I'm from people are raped in broad daylight and no one intervenes, but they should. Yes, it is maybe a bit dangerous to take a chance but it's for the good of the community.

"I'm just glad the lady got her possessions back."

Speaking of the Februay 9, 1997 incident in New York, for which bhis actions were commended by a judge, Mr Gevisser said he can't get over the coincidence of the date.

"It is really spooky and every time February 9 comes around I'm going to be wondering what the day has in store," he added.

* The Brook Green robber's features were obscured by a helmet but Mr Gevisser described him as strong and athletic. Anyone with information should call Hammersmith and Fulham police on 0208 246 2678.