Brave 75-year-old disarms sword-wielding intruder in his home
AN elderly couple were terrified when two men armed with swords raided their Lincoln home.
The husband, who had just celebrated his 75th birthday, courageously disarmed intruder Matthew Saunders, but was struck on the head by accomplice Paul Fellowes.
Christopher Kessling, prosecuting at Leicester Crown Court, said the elderly man and his 73-year-old wife were awoken at their bungalow in Lindum Terrace, Lincoln, early on June 7, last year.
The husband jumped out of bed and saw Saunders coming towards him with an ornamental samurai sword, taken from the shed.
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He demanded the victim's car keys.
Despite fearing for his safety, the victim grappled with Saunders and managed to disarm him in the kitchen.
Fellowes, armed with another sword from the shed, was standing outside the broken window, and struck the victim on the head, causing blood to pour down his face.
The injured pensioner ended up grappling on the floor with Saunders, who punched him repeatedly, as he demanded money.
The wife ran to a neighbour's but Saunders followed her and tried to drag her back.
Her husband came outside with the sword he'd taken from Saunders and hit Fellowes, making him drop his sword. The attackers then fled in the couple's car.
Fellowes, of Brisco Avenue, Loughborough, was previously found guilty of aggravated burglary, wounding and possessing a knife when arrested.
Saunders, formerly of Loughborough, but recently of Mablethorpe Chalet Park, Links Avenue, Mablethorpe, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, wounding and causing an affray prior to arrest.
Mr Kessling said police spotted the Rover later that morning in Belton Road, Loughborough, and pursued the defendants to Shepshed.
Fellowes was chased and caught. Saunders ran into his sister's flat in Brook Street and grabbed hold of her, threatening to hold her hostage. He then went onto a balcony with a knife screaming at the police.
Firearms officers attended and there was a stand-off before Saunders was arrested.
Fellowes, 29, from Loughborough, was jailed indefinitely for public protection at the court on Friday and will serve at least six years behind bars.