78 pensioner arrested for fatally stabbing burglar in his own home

[SShaming]

2 burglars break into a 78 year old man’s home armed with screwdriver.

Forces owner into the kitchen whilst one of them goes upstairs.

A fight ensues, leaving pensioner with injuries to his arm and burglary is fatally stabbed. Perhaps with his own screwdriver although this is TBC.

Police arrest pensioner.

On what planet is this right?

Its been reported that the now dead burglar had marched the householder into his kitchen and corralled him in there while his accomplice was upstairs with his disabled wife.

I should imagine he felt the need to get upstairs to defend his wife urgently.

The burglar was stabbed once. Unlucky for him it was in the right place.

I can't see how I would have handled it differently in his position.

I think its disgusting that the innocent victim in this was held for 2 days when it was obvious what had happened.

Here’s a crazy suggestion, why not try reading the thread where it has been explained repeatedly, numerous times as to why the police have to follow the correct processs?

The pensioner whilst in police icustody would have been treated with the utmost respect I am
In no doubt from the officers.

Him being in custody not only allows police to investigate a 'suspicious death' but also affords the pensioners rights and ensures procedural fairness.

There is / was no choice for police in this.

I agree he should have been taken in for questioning. Where did I say I didn't Nicky? Two days though held in a cell after going through that, apart from his disabled wife. Bloody disgusting .

You can’t just bring them in for a quick few questions then that’s it. It takes time to do medicals, seize clothing, get legal assistance and allow him sufficient time to rest. He will have been well well looked after.

During those two days he would have been medically assessed , possibly went to hospital for medical attention , would have had sufficient rest and obviously interviewed. By the time he was probably deemed fit for interview and solicitor arrived that took up half the time.

Better him safe in a custody suite than at his home left to the mercy of the press

And it was one day and one night he was in custody, he was released on bail this morning.

Was it really necessary to detain a 78 year old man in a cell overnight?

As for saying he'd have been treated with respect by the police...from my knowledge of the police in stations local to where this happened I fucking doubt it. Besides which it doesn't change the fact he was locked in a cell for 2 days, an undignified space unfit for a man his age.

I applaud his actions though. The burglar had extensive form for conning the elderly who he clearly perceived as easy targets. I cannot think of a better illustration for getting what you deserve.

I hope the homeowner is ok mentally and physically and coping ok. All my sympathies are with him, not the scumbag deceased or his equally scummy family.

After this post I think I will give in. I’ve seen many a person in a police custody suite who is bewildered, confused, elderly and not the “typical” customer. They are treated with nothing but respect. Why wouldn’t they be? Cops are human too!

And yes it was necessary to arrest and keep him in custody while enquirers were conducted.

I'm with you in this one Nicknacky.

Having been a custody sergeant this guy is not the usual scum customer.

numb obviously keeping details vague, I had a case of blatant self defence but serious injury was caused.

My “accused” was brought in and I ensured his bum didn’t even hit a cell, and he was in, interviewed and released in the quickest time I have ever done it (60 mins) if I recall correctly.

I then ran him home on my own in a police car with him in a front seat! And you will understand that is normally a no no for officer safety!

My hands were tied, I had to deal with him and submit my case. Just like this case, it has to be done no matter how unpleasant.

My accused never set foot in a court btw.

*chardonnay

By virtue of the definition of the countable noun peer it is impossible for this to be the same as a cross section of society *

Head
Banging
Wall

I completely get why he had to be taken in, but I really really hope someone his wife knew and trusted was able to be with her for all the time it took if she has dementia

These burgling bastards don’t give a flying fuck about what they put their victims through.

His wife would have also been well looked after, she would have had to been removed from the property anyway during the investigation.

“Oh, OK. He was a burglar. Well, good on ya, mate. We’ll just clear up the body for you while you head back to bed. Sorry to disturb you”.
This is exactly the impression I get from far too many posters!

Was it really necessary to detain a 78 year old man in a cell overnight?
YES!! Have you not read the thread? It has been explained numerous times. The investigation needs to be thorough and proper. It can't be done and dusted in a couple of hours. He would have needed medical attention and rest during that time as well.

VelvetSpoon I thought you were supposed to be a lawyer

No sympathy for people thst target the elderly and vulnerable with weapons.

Sounds a tricky situation. If the burglar was trying to leave and there was continued blows from behind/once unconscious then that would change the situation IMO.
Self defence is understandable but only the police assessing the situation will know whether it was self defence or if it was continued past that point.

Well remembered, I am a lawyer, Tabby. What precisely is the relevance of your comment? I don't deal in criminal law and never have. I do however know several people personally who have had poor experiences of the police and criminal justice system. I also know many people (including myself) who have been victims of burglary, theft, robbery etc. So far as I'm aware my occupation doesn't preclude me from having nor expressing an opinion.

*I haven't seen anyone here offering any sympathy for the dead burglar.

I did hear one of his relations doing so on the radio earlier which led to me turning it off.*

Really? God, I can't believe that. Imagine someone with a personal connection to the case having a different perspective on it than some random so-and-so on the internet. Crazy, eh?

VelvetSpoon Not really “well remembered”...I’ve seen you post that many, many times. Besides which I used to follow a particular series of threads so it’s stuck in my mind.

But my point is, I would expect a lawyer to have some regard for, you know, THE LAW & not go down the ill-informed, “Oh well, he was a scumbag”. Scumbag or saint, the law is the law and proceedure is the same when one human being kills another.

'The Telegraph' reports that the burglars had a history of defrauding elderly people of large sums of money.

Their cousin on the R4 today blamed the old man for not calling the police, I had to turn it off too.

I feel awful that that elderly couple will have to live with the events of that night for the rest of their lives, how will they ever sleep again. He will have to bear the guilt of killing someone too.