Elderly man sends burglar packing

A 74-year-old Essex man tackled a burglar and threw him against a door, two days after another elderly man punched an intruder in the face.

In the latest incident the man returned to his Kenneth Road home in Basildon on Saturday to find a burglar inside.

Essex Police said a tussle ensued and the intruder was thrown against a door, smashing its window, before he fled.

On Thursday a 94-year-old man from Harlow punched an intruder in the face after he demanded he hand over money.

Accomplice stood watch

An Essex Police spokesman said the burglar broke into the Basildon property on Saturday afternoon by forcing open a kitchen window.

He said: "He began ransacking the property while an accomplice stood watch outside.

"Both men were disturbed when the 74-year-old occupant returned home.

These two offenders should be disgusted with themselves for targeting a vulnerable man Det Sgt Colin Norton

"A tussle ensued between him and the burglar inside the house and close to the front door.

"The assailant was thrown against the door window, which shattered, giving him the opportunity to run off with a bag containing various stolen items."

Det Sgt Colin Norton said: "This man put up a remarkable fight with this burglar and was only stopped from punching him by his daughter who shouted at him to stop.

"These two offenders should be disgusted with themselves for targeting a vulnerable man and then snatching his belongings, some of which are of sentimental value to him."

The burglars escaped with a DVD player, DVDs and a number of pieces of jewellery.

Police said the 74-year-old, who lives at the house with his 68-year-old wife, was not injured.