A MAN walking through a Hampshire park with his two-year-old son was threatened by a gang armed with a metal pole.

The 22-year-old dad shielded the boy by standing in front of him after one of the would-be robbers told him: “I'm gonna mug you.”

Their intended victim saw a man getting out of a car nearby and shouted for help, at which point the youths ran off down a path.

Police say the incident happened near Garland Way, Totton, last Saturday. The youths were aged 17-21 and were wearing dark clothing.