Man fights off burglar with knife

The pensioners were asleep at the time

The son of two County Antrim pensioners has described how he tackled a knife-wielding burglar who broke into their home demanding money.

Bill Chapman who happened to be home in Lisburn from Canada on holiday, said he could not help himself after an intruder punched his elderly father.

A burlgar armed with a knife kicked in the front door of the pensioners' home in Hillview Avenue.

The couple in their eighties who live there were in bed.

Alerted by noise

But their son Bill was alerted by the noise.

I took a swing at him and caught him with my right hand

Bill Chapman

"I jumped out and ran into the hallway," he said.

"There was a guy standing just inside the door and I knew what was going on, so I said: 'Who are you and what do you want?'

"He said: 'I want money, I have a knife and I am prepared to use it'."

Mr Chapman said his father then came out into the hall to see what was going on.

Bill Chapman: "I just had a go"

"He punched my dad and he went back into the room, and at that stage I moved between my folks and him and I was able to pick up a little jewelry case that mum has and broke it over his head.

"I had a go and then it disintegrated and I took a swing at him and caught him with my right hand."

The intruder then started waving the knife about, forcing Mr Chapman into the room with his parents.

He then bolted the door on them before fleeing.

'Appalling attack'

This is the third incident of its kind in Lisburn within a fortnight.

The police are investigating the possibility that the same person was involved in all three incidents.

Tom Cairns of Age Concern said it was "an absolutely appalling attack".

"If anyone has any information about this incident they should contact the RUC immediately.

"As I go about Northern Ireland elderly people are telling me they are frightened of attack and robbery - especially in isolated areas."