A burglar who almost succeeded in setting a block of flats on fire has been jailed after a bare footed neighbour dressed in just pyjamas tackled him to the ground to prevent his escape.

Stephen Morris, 29, of Boundary Road in Wimbledon, was at home on April 12 when he noticed an intruder climbing out of his neighbour’s ground floor flat with his TV and computer.

Without a thought for his safety, Mr Morris rushed outside and chased the burglar down the street.

He said: "We had a bit of a scuffle but he didn’t hit me or anything like that.

"He seemed very drunk and high on drugs and was also a bit bigger than me at about six foot two.

"He kept trying to run away and I was trying to drag him back and he kept trying to get away so I had to trip him up.

"I was in my pyjamas and had no shoes on.

"I’m basically running up and down the streets with no shoes on."

Unbeknown to Mr Morris the burglar had set fire to his neighbour’s curtains on his way out.

He added: "All while I have been down the house my girlfriend has been putting out the fire.

"It hadn’t got too bad but had caught the curtains and the window was burning.

"She went into the house and was able to put out the fire and call the fire brigade and then called the police as well."

Mr Morris, who works in banking, was able to detain 25-year-old Edward Bale until the emergency services arrived.

He added: "I wouldn’t have known how I would have reacted under those circumstances.

"I didn’t think I was the person to run after a burglar but I guess I am.

"I have been told it was very brave but also a little bit stupid.

"I didn’t think about it but I could quite easily have been stabbed or seriously hurt."

Speaking following the incident, Darren Williams, Merton police borough commander, said: "The actions of Stephen and his girlfriend were extraordinary.

"I have already spoken to him to tell how grateful we all are and to thank them for their help making Merton a safer place."

Bale was arrested at the scene and later charged with burglary and arson.

He was sentenced to 20 months in prison for one count of burglary and one count of arson at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, November 22.

 

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