A STUDENT chased two armed robbers to stop them stealing more of his money from a Colchester cash machine.

Ghurmullah Alghamdi, 25, from the Hythe area, was robbed while taking out £20 at a cash machine at the BP garage in Magdalen Street.

The Saudi Arabian, a student at Essex University, was threatened with a knife, and handed over the cash and his card. He then changed his mind and chased the two robbers.

He said: “I saw the two guys as I went to get some money out, but I didn’t really think much about it.

“I started to withdraw money and they surrounded me. One of them had a knife and threatened me.

“I managed to escape their grip and ran away, but one of them started to chase me, then changed his mind and went back to his friend.

“Then I started to shout and scream because I didn’t want them to withdraw more money on my card.

“I chased them and they ran away. I got as far as the traffic lights and then I felt sick, so I stopped.

“I just wanted to make sure they didn’t get more money out.”

He added: “It was terrifying. I was scared to death, as they had a knife.

“I have only been here six months, but I have friends who have been here for years and nothing like this has happened, so I don’t think this is typical of Colchester.”

Police have appealed for witnesses to the robbery and are also keen to talk to a passer-by to whom Mr Alghamdi spoke after he chased the robbers.

The attackers were both white, in their early twenties and of medium height.

One was chubby and dressed in a hooded top, dark trousers and had a local accent. The other was slim and similarly dressed.

Anyone with information about the incident, at 11pm on Friday, is asked to call PC Trevor Clark of Colchester CID, on 0300 3334444.