Real life superhero stops fight against crime after he is attacked - Telegraph
A man who dressed as a superhero to fight petty crime has hung up his outfit after he was beaten up.
By night, Roger Hayhurst turns into crime-fighting superhero Knight Warrior Photo: MEN
Roger Hayhurst, who also goes by the name Knight Warrior, hit the headlines in 2011 after it emerged he patrolled streets near his home in Swinton, Greater Manchester, breaking up fights and tackling anti-social behaviour.
Mr Hayhurst vowed "to get crime off the streets" and even hoped to become the first elected mayor of Salford before a lack of funding scuppered his political ambitions.
Mr Hayhurst, 20, who used a custom-made £200 blue-and-black lycra costume which his mother helped him buy from a US firm, was later joined by his Rebecca, his 18-year-old fiancee who met him after hearing of his bravery. She would go by the name Knight Maiden.
But Mr Hayhurst, a gardener, has now scaled back his crime-fighting after being attacked while on patrol.
He told the Manchester Evening News: "We were recognised when we were walking thorough Clifton and some lads started punching me.
"My face was all swollen. After that I still dress up and occasionally patrol, but I mainly dress up for charity appearances."
"Rebecca has got rid of her costume now."
His mother, Jennifer, 61, admitted last year that she sometimes worried when he was out on the streets but the "police keep an eye on him".
She added: "His absolute genuineness is his best defence. He is one of the kindest young men I know."
The couple host a local radio show. Mr Hayhurst hopes to emulate his hero Superman by becoming a journalist.
"Rebecca has got rid of her costume now."
His mother, Jennifer, 61, admitted last year that she sometimes worried when he was out on the streets but the "police keep an eye on him".
She added: "His absolute genuineness is his best defence. He is one of the kindest young men I know."
The couple host a local radio show. Mr Hayhurst hopes to emulate his hero Superman by becoming a journalist.
