A former daily newspaper journalist fought off two robbers as he turned have-a-go hero to save a woman from being attacked in London.

Ex-Scotsman assistant news editor Alastair Jamieson was kicked several times while preventing the attempted robbery and gave chase to two suspects after the late night attack.

Alastair, who worked at The Scotsman before moving to the Sunday Telegraph and the London bureau of NBC News, was walking through Mile End Park, near his home, when he noticed the confrontation.

After intervening, the two would-be robbers fought back and kicked him in the head several times before escaping.

Alastair after the attack

Alastair, 41, told MyLondon: “I heard this screaming behind me and I turned back to where it was coming from.

“I saw a group and a confrontation going on, it was pretty obvious that two young guys had tried to rob a girl and a group of people were now trying to subdue them until someone could call for help. I decided to join in and help, but it was quite difficult to pin the two guys down.”

Others joined Alastair’s efforts, but they were unable to subdue the attackers.

He added: “It was just a case of trying to keep them on the ground. Unfortunately they kept wiggling free and were able to kick one or two us.

“I chased after them, but most people at that time of night don’t want to get involved.

“I remember at one point when I was chasing them into the road cars were just driving round us. I was banging on car windows asking people to call the police but they just drove off.”

Alastair, who worked at the Edinburgh-based Scotsman between 2000 and 2008, was taken to the hospital by police officers who attended the scene, but escaped with minor injuries.

The victim was left shaken, but uninjured, after the attack, which happened at around 11.45pm on Thursday.

Reflecting on whether he would step in again should a similar situation arise, Alastair said: “Yes, I would step in again. Although people rightly pointed out that just because you can’t see a knife doesn’t mean they haven’t got one.

“That’s the first time I have been a victim of crime of London. I don’t feel crime has gotten worse but I can see why people may think that.”