A BMW worker was robbed at gunpoint on an Oxford cycle track as he rode home in the early hours.

Russell Swanton

Russell Swanton had just finished a late shift at the Cowley factory when he was stopped by two men brandishing a black gun. They demanded his wallet.

The 50-year-old car assembly worker, who was badly shaken but not hurt, said the men told him "keep quiet, stay calm, or I will pop you right now".

Terrified, he believed they would shoot him as they led him to a poorly-lit part of the cycle track at the side of the A4142 eastern by-pass.

Mr Swanton, who has lived in Oxford all his life, is now warning people not to use the track on their own at night.

He is also appealing for a man who walked past during the incident early on Saturday, December 18, and who might be able to help police with their inquiries.

The robbery happened at around 3.50am as Mr Swanton cycled from Cowley towards the Blackbird Leys bridge.

Mr Swanton said: "I saw two men standing either side of the cycle track.

"As I cycled between them, the man on the left pulled out a gun and made me get off my bike.

"He was very abusive and made me push my bike back towards Tesco's.

"He asked me if I had any money, I said I hadn't -- but he thought I was lying."

Mr Swanton said they went along the track, a man walked towards them and the robbers ordered him to keep quiet.

He was then told to hand his wallet over, which he did. Both men then rode off on his bike -- which was later found abandoned in the underpass nearby.

Mr Swanton said there was only "pence" in his wallet, and as soon as he got home, he cancelled his credit cards.

He said the whole episode lasted around 10 minutes and had been terrifying.

"I did think the least they would do was hit me over the head or knock me out," he said.

Mr Swanton, who is married with two children, said the following day he felt fine but that he was now using his car to get to and from work.

Dc Sarah Berry, of Oxford CID, said: "I would appeal to anyone who saw this incident to come forward.

"I particularly need to speak to a white man who passed the incident on foot as it took place.

"This man is about 5ft 7in tall, average build, and was wearing a woolly hat and a long dark coat."

The robbers are described as Asian and wore dark clothes, woolly hats and scarves over their faces.

One was about 6ft and the other about 5ft 5in tall.

Anyone with information should call Dc Berry via 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.