Judge praises Good Samaritan for punching fleeing burglar

A judge has praised a Good Samaritan who punched a 52-year-old burglar and returned the handbag he had stolen to a disabled woman.

Robert Stewart chased after John Jessop after he fled the victim’s home in Bournemouth and caught up with him despite his threats to ‘stab him to death’.

Unperturbed, he punched Jessop in the face, giving him a black eye which was visible on his Dorset Police mugshot.

Robert Stewart (left) chased after John Jessop (right) after he fled the victim’s home in Bournemouth and caught up with him despite his threats to ‘stab him to death’

At Bournemouth Crown Court, Judge Peter Crabtree commended Mr Stewart for his bravery in confronting Jessop after the burglary. He jailed Jessop for 27 months.

Jessop broke into Jackie Barfield’s home on the evening of July 20, having specifically targeted her home because she uses a power wheelchair.

She heard a noise from her bedroom, caused as Jessop tried to climb out the window and fell backwards into the room.

He escaped through her window and attempted to flee the scene with his accomplice Mark Gold, 61, who was stood outside.

Jessop attempted to flee with his accomplice Mark Gold (pictured), who was stood outside

However, the pair were apprehended by Mr Stewart, a passing member of the public, and Ms Barfield’s neighbour Brian Jones.

Prosecuting, David Reid said: ‘Jessop collected potentially valuable items and put them inside two handbags which were already inside the address.

‘He attempted to leave via the window again. He then fell out of the window onto the bonnet of a car. In doing so, he left a large dent.

‘Mr Stewart pursued Jessop. An altercation took place. Jessop threatened to ‘stab (Mr Stewart) to death and kill him’.

‘Mr Stewart punched Jessop in the face and returned the handbag to the victim.’

Jessop, of Bournemouth, who admitted burglary, has a string of previous convictions. In 2009 he was jailed for nine years in for a robbery. Gold, also of Bournemouth, admitted handling stolen goods.

The court heard he believed Jessop had left him to go to the toilet, and had no idea his friend had been committing a burglary.

Ms Barfield, who suffers from fibromyalgia, said in a victim impact statement she feels like a ‘prisoner’ in her home since the burglary.

She said: ‘I am anxious and nervous that someone may come back. When I go out, I have a fear of coming back and finding I’ve been burgled. It gives me a deep, sick feeling in my stomach.’

Jessop was sentenced to 27 months in prison, as well as an indefinite restraining order keeping him 50 metres away from the victim’s home at all times.

Gold was sentenced to an 18-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a two-month electronically-monitored curfew.