A KARATE kicking Southampton schoolgirl fought off a would-be attacker with her self-defence skills.

Rachel White, 12, a provisional black belt in the martial art, was walking home along The Valley footpath, in Sholing, when the attack happened.

A middle-aged man came up and grabbed her arm before making suggestive comments. When he refused to let go, Rachel, of Whistler Road, Sholing, karate kicked him in the groin.

"I didn't have time to think, it was just instinct. I just automatically did a karate technique we have practised," said Rachel, who has been going to classes since she was five.

"The man fell to the floor and then ran to a red G-reg car and drove off," she added.

Rachel returned home and told her parents what had happened and phoned the police.

"I am so pleased I have done karate classes. I thought when I got older they might be useful but I never expected it would happen so early," she said.

Her parents George and Barbara are proud of the way Rachel reacted to the situation.

"It could have been a lot worse had she not done any training," said George.

"I got her started with classes when she was five because I know what society is like today, I thought it would be a good idea to get her trained up in self defence.

"It is something that should be taught to all children at school," he added.

Rachel is now recovered from the attack, which happened at about 6.15pm on Monday, August 23, and hoping to get her full black belt later on this year.

The attacker is described as being tall, about 50 years old with grey hair, a beer belly and wearing a dark navy jacket and blue jeans. He had a tattoo on his right hand which appeared to be a bird.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Bitterne CID on 01703 335444.

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