Len Johnson appeared at Sittingbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday after the burglar, Anthony McCoy, accused him of kicking and punching him during the citizen's arrest.
Mr Johnson and his wife returned home on 16 November to find McCoy and another man burgling their home on the Isle of Sheppey, off the north Kent coast.
Mr Johnson chased after McCoy and held on to him until the police arrived.
Criminal treatment
McCoy is currently serving a two-year jail sentence, but says he was attacked by Mr Johnson and is suing him for actual bodily harm.
Magistrates were deciding on Tuesday when the case would be heard.
Speaking outside the court, Mr Johnson said: "It's outrageous really, I thought I was doing the right thing.
"I felt like I was treated like a criminal and I haven't done anything wrong."
He has since received a court summons, had to appear in the dock and hand over all his details.
McCoy is representing himself in court. Mr Johnson has been granted legal aid.
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