City staff join defence course teaching killer techniques

City workers have been flocking to join courses in a violent form of self-defence which could be used to kill an attacker.

The technique, Target Focus Training, was devised by the US military for fighting behind enemy lines.

But a growing fear of burglary and street crime has led to civilians signing up in Britain, its instructor said.

Spencer McGawley, the only trainer giving lessons in Britain, said: "About four years ago I used to only get martial arts experts and people like the police.

"Now up to 50 per cent of my students are City workers. They are scared of being burgled or randomly attacked in the street by someone with a knife."

The method focuses on targeting vulnerable body parts. Theoretical tactics include gouging eyeballs, rupturing testicles and bursting eardrums with punches. But such techniques could lead to prosecution, lawyers said.