A judge has praised a householder who confronted two thugs trying to break into his home – giving him ‘full marks’ for bravery.
Despite one offender swinging a plank of wood at him, 63-year-old David Oldham refused to be cowed.
Instead, the university estates manager fought back, punching both offenders and knocking one of the men’s teeth out.
The criminals fled but blood left on Mr Oldham from the scuffle led to one of them, Craig Ford, being identified and arrested four months later.
David Oldham, 63, fought off two home intruders, knocking one of their teeth out
Sentencing Ford, who lost a tooth after being hit by Mr Oldham outside his £400,000 detached home in Ormskirk, Lancashire, Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, told him: ‘(Mr Oldham) gave you more than you bargained for because when he confronted you at the side of his house, disguised so only your eyes and nose were visible, he punched you.
‘And not only did he punch you but when your accomplice, who had been breaking in upstairs, jumped down from the roof he punched him as well.’
Jailing Ford for three years and four months on Friday, the judge said: ‘You’ve learnt two lessons, I hope. One is you do not mess with David Oldham, and two, you don’t mess with the police.
‘For your pains in committing these offences you now have one tooth less than you had before and you got bitten by a dog. It is the least you deserve.’
He added: ‘Full marks to Mr Oldham for the way in which he responded to what you did.’
Derek Jones, prosecuting, said that at the time of the burglary, Ford was on licence from a three-year sentence imposed in 2016, also for burglary.
Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said: ‘You’ve learnt two lessons, I hope. One is you do not mess with David Oldham, and two, you don’t mess with the police.’
Liverpool Crown Court heard Mr Oldham sprang into action when he heard noises outside his home at about 7pm on April 5.
Mr Jones said: ‘Mr Oldham, a man of some substance, bravely went out to the side of the property and was confronted by the defendant who moved towards him.
‘Fearing for his safety he punched him once to the face which knocked him to the floor and also knocked a tooth out.
‘The other intruder then jumped down from the roof landing in front of Mr Oldham who instinctively punched him to the face.’
Liverpool Crown Court (pictured) heard Mr Oldham sprang into action when he heard noises outside his home
Mr Jones said the accomplice picked up a plank of wood and swung it at Mr Oldham, and Ford said: ‘Shoot him, he’s knocked my teeth out.’
The accomplice said to Mr Oldham: ‘We’ll just leave it now if you let us go,’ and he and Ford fled the scene.
Police caught up with Ford when they raided a house in Wavertree on August 2. Ford kicked out at a police dog, which then bit his shoulder.
The second burglar is believed to be still at large.
Ford, 25, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary, assault by beating, and driving dangerously while disqualified and without a licence.