An 85-year-old veteran from South Holland sat on a drunk, knife wielding burglar and told him he’d shot “better men in Korea”.
Korean War veteran John Headington and his 57-year-old wife Susan were praised by a judge who jailed drunk burglar Robert Barnes this week.
Former railway worker Mr Headington, who has had two hip replacements, grabbed the burglar in a bear hug as Barnes (28) was stealing valuable model trains.
“There was a struggle and I got him in a bear hug, we were really getting to know each other,” said Mr Headington, speaking after a court case on Monday.
“I told him I’d had to shoot better men in Korea.”
Barnes had smashed his way into the couple’s home using a brick, Lincoln Crown Court was told.
He was also carrying a metal-bladed butter knife.
Mrs Headington was woken by the noise and saw light in the room where her husband kept his prized model railway collection.
Four of the engines taken were valued at £500 and five of the carriages at £200.
The engines were ones Mr Heading received as a boy and damaged parts cannot be replaced.
Mr Headington was knocked over by Barnes as he tried to make his escape.
Speaking after the case, Mrs Headington said: “I could hear my husband confronting him and told the operator there was something going on. I could see there was some blood and told the operator we might need an ambulance as well.
“He got past my husband and took the phone from me, but then fell and was on the floor. I sat on top of him and said ‘you’re staying where you are’ then John sat on him as well.”
Mrs Headington added it seemed like they were there for a long time, but it was around ten minutes before five police officers burst in.
Barnes, of no fixed address, admitted carrying out the burglary on November 20 and a second charge of possessing a bladed article.
He was jailed for two years for the burglary and four months for the knife offence.
Judge Simon Hirst said: “Mr and Mrs Headington must have been terrified by the presence of you in their home, purporting violence against them.
“They have behaved with remarkable bravery. It is a testimony to them that they managed to hold you until the arrival of the police.”
“You took highly sentimental items and damaged them beyond repair. Violence was used against the Headingtons. It is right to say it was not punches, but you barged past an 85-year-old man.
“People who carry knives, even if they are not produced when committing a burglary, must receive a consecutive sentence of imprisonment.”
Barnes has previous convictions, the court was told.
