Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Residents surround house to catch thief

Neighbours surrounded the home of a 93-year-old woman to trap a burglar who climbed in through a window.

Fifteen residents of Greenwich Avenue, Basford, dashed to help their partially-deaf neighbour when one spotted raider Brian Bennett go through a bathroom window.

Some watched the back of the semi-detached bungalow while others stood by a gate on the drive, preventing Bennett from leaving. They could see him going through various rooms in the house.



"He didn't dare come out", said the local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator. He was running around the house. He didn't know what to do."

Bennett, 39, of Lathkill Close, Bulwell, a convicted robber, gave himself up when the homeowner opened the front door for him, and he walked out.

At Nottingham Crown Court, Judge Michael Stokes, QC, Recorder of Nottingham, sentenced Bennett to four years for two burglaries. Awards of £200 each were made to five residents in Greenwich Avenue for their bravery.

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