Updated: 78 Year old pensioner cleared of killing burglar

Police said that, during a struggle, a 38-year-old man found inside the property sustained a stab injury to his upper body.

He was discovered collapsed nearby and taken to hospital but died soon after 3.30am.

One resident, who was woken by flashing ambulance lights, said he saw the injured man stripped of his clothes as up to eight paramedics attempted to save his life.

Police initially arrested the 78-year-old on suspicion of grievous bodily harm but they have since rearrested him on suspicion of murder.

https://news.sky.com/story/pensioner...glary-11316275

It should not be murder. I say release the man without charge. We're still focused on being harsh on people who should have the right to defend their property.

It might just be procedure, alternatively we might not know the full details or maybe it's outrageous. A case of wait and see.

I mean if they were to actually charge him they would presumably have more than self-defence.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Mick

https://news.sky.com/story/pensioner...glary-11316275

It should not be murder. I say release the man without charge. We're still focused on being harsh on people who should have the right to defend their property.

Were you there Mick ? Do you know exactly what happened ?

Originally Posted by Mr K

Were you there Mick ? Do you know exactly what happened ?

Whether I was there or not is irrelevant. The report says two burglars entered the mans property, illegally. Neighbours have told Sky News, the pensioner was a well liked and popular neighbour, very kind in nature.

One of the burglars came off worse than what they tried to do to that old man when they were threatening him with a screw driver. I have no sympathy for the dead scumbag.

[weenie]

This is a tough one where the law is concerned as the police will need to investigate this.

I feel for this man this is something he will never get over all because utter **** decided they have the right to take what does not belong to them.

It is my understanding that suspicion of murder is standard procedure and the police need to investigate all the circumstances on how the house breaker lost his life but saying that if the man felt his life was in danger he has the right to act in self defense.

What he is not allowed to do is kill with intention and I don't think for one minute that this is the case here as I do not think this man set out to kill.

I personally think he was a very frightened old man who lashed out due to fear, I do not think for one minute he knew his actions would kill therefore hopefully no charges should be brought IMO.

[richard s]

With you on this one Mick and weenie.... fear made the old chap defend his home and life. You may reap what you sow.

Originally Posted by Mick

Whether I was there or not is irrelevant. The report says two burglars entered the mans property, illegally. Neighbours have told Sky News, the pensioner was a well liked and popular neighbour, very kind in nature.

We don't know what happened is the point. We don't know if this is just a standard practise in the event of the death and the case will soon be dropped or if there is more information that the news report doesn't tell us.

I get the due process bit Damien, but these two scumbags were obvious cowards and obviously saw this pensioner as a weak target, only they bit off more than they could chew and it ended badly for one of them.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

Well let me solve a few problems on this. As l do know a bit about law.

The law states you can ONLY use 'reasonable force' if a burglar enters your property.

Reasonable force, is that you can protect YOURSELF, and can push to person to the floor, and hold that person to the floor or lock that person in a room. Before police arrive.

HOWEVER, if you use an instrument ie knife, baton and HARM that person. You can BE the guilty person.

The law is stupid on this. Your property is YOUR CASTLE. But the law does state you can ONLY use reasonable force.

I feel for the guy, he looked after his sick wife. But, he should be released on bail. But, he will be treated with care by police.

But the poor must be going through hell tonight, knowing what he has done.

But, what about the other scumbag. There were TWO burglars.

[weenie]

I think this man should hopefully be okay in regards to being charged with murder according to this.

Using reasonable force against intruders
You can use reasonable force to protect yourself or others if a crime is taking place inside your home.

This means you can:
protect yourself ‘in the heat of the moment’ - this includes using an object as a weapon,
stop an intruder running off - eg tackle them to the ground.

https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-force-against-intruders

Also it's quite understanding into what reasonable force means. As that says it allows for the fact that you're under stress with a fight or flight response so it's whats reasonable given those circumstances rather than what is a minimum amount of violence to keep you safe.

[OLD BOY]

Well, if he was a pensioner, then he would have worried about being overpowered by one man, let alone two.

Of course he should not be charged with murder, or anything, for that matter. Everybody should be able to use whatever force necessary to defend their homes in an intruder situation. If that was made clear, maybe there would be fewer burglaries.

---------- Post added at 08:31 ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 ----------

Originally Posted by Mick

Whether I was there or not is irrelevant. The report says two burglars entered the mans property, illegally. Neighbours have told Sky News, the pensioner was a well liked and popular neighbour, very kind in nature.

One of the burglars came off worse than what they tried to do to that old man when they were threatening him with a screw driver. I have no sympathy for the dead scumbag.

That's right, Mick. You often only get one chance to use force against burglars, and he took it. Well done him.

[Stephen]

Murder is harsh, that makes it sound like it was planned or premeditated.

At most it should be manslaughter.

but either way, even if he was just defending himself, there is still the fact that he killed someone.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by Mick

https://news.sky.com/story/pensioner...glary-11316275

It should not be murder

No it shouldnt be.....He was protecting himself!!!


HE SHOULD BE LET GO W/O CHARGE!!!!!!!!

He killed an intruder Stephen a person he did not invite into his home or want and if i live long enough to be 78 i am taking the quickest method to do maximum damage including killing on someone half my age who gets the advantage with every moment the struggle goes on. Not every life is precious some are out and out **** that the worlds better off without and two men who target pensioners fit right into that group. This pensioner shouldn't be charged with any offence and the wailing brigade with their shouts of "but someone was killed" need to shutup and go find something worth more then this to rail against or are we saying our pensioners are fair game for gutless ****.