Hero pensioner fights off robbers

John's toolbox at the front door came in very handy

A Lanarkshire grandfather has been praised for his bravery after he fought off robbers with a wrench.

Have-a-go hero John Byrne hit out after two armed youths burst into his home in Carluke.

The 71-year-old hit one of the raiders with a wrench from his tool box after they attacked him with a knife.

Chief Inspector Colin Murphy from Strathclyde Police said: "It was incredibly brave of John to do what he did".

Mr Byrne's finger was slashed and he received minor head injuries during the incident which happened a few days before Christmas.

The pensioner told the BBC Scotland news website that his first reaction when confronted by the robbers was to protect his home and money.

He said: "It all happened in a flash. I was just about to lock up the house for the night when the two men dressed all in black burst through my front door.

They probably thought I was a soft touch, an older man, living on my own. But I showed them John Byrne

"One of them had a knife and cut my finger and the other was carrying a screwdriver.

"They were saying 'slash him, just slash him'.

"The bigger one of the two went into my living room and it was then I decided to tackle the wee one.

"I hit him with my wrench and the two of them ran off."

He added: "I have worked all my life and I wasn't going to let them get their hands on my money.

"They probably thought I was a soft touch, an older man, living on my own. But I showed them."

'Incredibly brave'

The widower, who has three children and four grandchildren, did not go to hospital until days after his ordeal.

The following morning he got up and went to work at the grocers shop he owns in Shotts.

He said: "I didn't want to make a big fuss. I'm not like that.

"I just wrapped a towel around my head to stop the bleeding and went on as normal."

Mr Byrne said he hoped the police would be able to catch the two youths involved.

The police confirmed that continuing their investigations and were looking at "a positive line of enquiry".