Pensioner helps convict raiders

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William Grove removed a balaclava from a robber's face

Two teenagers have been convicted of burglary after an elderly man grabbed one from behind and pulled his balaclava from his head.

The 17-year-olds had smashed their way into an Ernest Jones store before stealing from it in Richmond, south-west London, last year.

War veteran William Grove, 84, intervened, grabbing a youth and keeping hold of the balaclava.

After the case, Mr Grove insisted he was not a hero.

Riochmond Youth Court heard the youths used sledgehammers to smash the jewellery shop window before grabbing two Rolex watches on 30 October last year.

More than 50 shoppers and office workers watched the daytime raid but passer-by Mr Grove grabbed one of the teenagers from behind and took his balaclava.

As the pair fled Mr Grove shouted: "I have got your DNA."

Police said DNA collected from the knitwear was crucial in catching the teenagers.

People are now so afraid of what they think is an armed criminal when the probability of them actually being in any danger is so small William Grove

Mr Grove, a former RAF ground staff officer, said he was "astonished" when the raid began. "I just thought it was a stunt," he said.

He was not surprised other people did not intervene. "I was the nearest - it was my first reaction," Mr Grove said.

"People are now so afraid of what they think is an armed criminal when the probability of them actually being in any danger is so small."

Mr Grove said his RAF training prepared him to take action but denied that he was a hero. He said: "It is rather an overworked term these days.

"I think heroes are people who jump into rivers to stop people drowning."

The jewellers offered Mr Grove a Rolex watch in gratitude but he asked for a donation to be made to charity instead.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "But for the bravery of this elderly gentleman, these two violent criminals might not have been arrested."

He added: "I would not ordinarily encourage members of the public to approach violent criminals, but to phone 999. However I wholeheartedly commend his actions."

One of the teenagers, who cannot be named, admitted burglary at an earlier hearing and was jailed for six months. The second was found guilty of burglary at Richmond Youth Court.

He will be sentenced later this month.