A burglar who targeted the wrong pensioner during a nighttime raid has been jailed after being confronted by a courageous 74-year-old homeowner who smashed a glass bottle over his head in a remarkable display of bravery.
Shamus Doyle, 32, broke into the elderly man’s semi-detached home in the early hours of February 19, 2024. However, his crime was quickly interrupted when the pensioner was awakened by the disturbance and confronted Doyle in his home. The court heard that the OAP, acting with “incredible bravery,” grabbed a glass bottle and smashed it over Doyle’s head, forcing him to flee the scene.
Despite escaping the property, Doyle reappeared in the man’s back garden a short time later, this time armed with a brick. He threatened to attack the pensioner again, but when informed that the police were on the way, Doyle hurled the brick through the living room window before fleeing once more.
Police officers soon located Doyle nearby with a bloodied head. Though he initially denied involvement, claiming he had been in a fight at a park, the evidence against him was overwhelming. Blood matching his DNA was found at the pensioner’s home, and CCTV footage placed him in the area at the time of the break-in, Nottingham Crown Court heard.
Doyle, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, criminal damage, and using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment. He was sentenced to two years and 174 days in prison.
Detective Constable Phil James of Nottinghamshire Police condemned Doyle’s actions, stating, “This was a truly appalling crime that demonstrates the depths of what some criminals are prepared to do. Burglary is an intrusive crime anyway, but for Doyle to subject a man in his 70s to a terrifying ordeal like this is truly shocking. The victim demonstrated incredible bravery in confronting Doyle and has shown great resilience in assisting with our investigation.”
The Crown Prosecution Service’s guidance states that homeowners are allowed to use “reasonable force” to defend themselves against intruders in their homes, which can include using objects at hand as weapons in the heat of the moment.
Doyle’s actions left a lasting impact on the victim, but the police and legal system hope the sentencing provides some comfort to the pensioner as he continues to recover from the traumatic ordeal.
