79-year-old woman punches burglar and sends him packing

A fearless pensioner has told how she punched a burglar she found in her home – and sent him packing. Joan Parmenter, 79, discovered Luke Clay with his brother, Lee Clay, in her front room at 11pm on Friday, February 18. Luke hit her right temple and she responded with an "almighty punch" to his jaw.

He landed face down on her couch amongst her collection of toy animals from her travels around the world, she said. The Clays then fled from her home, but ran into the path of a car, which had to make an emergency stop. Miss Parmenter ran out of her house after the burglars and shouted "stop him!"



Sophie Buckthorpe, who had been in the car, called police. Both men were later arrested and admitted they were the burglars. Yesterday, Miss Parmenter and Ms Buckthorpe were commended by a judge at Nottingham Crown Court for their actions. They were awarded £250 each from public funds.

The Clays each received eight months in prison after admitting the burglary in Vernon Road, Basford. Luke, 21, of Austrey Avenue, Beeston, received a further four months, to be served consecutively, for common assault for hitting her.