Faced with a Burglar - in your own home

[the_stillness]

I want you to understand something.

My Grandma was burgled twice when she was in her early thirties and on the second occasion - the Burglar decided to break in while she was asleep. But during his crime, he dropped something and my Gran woke up and bravely went down the stairs and ended up face to face with the Burglar. Now, at that moment - the Burglar pulled out a knife and went towards my Gran and she screamed. The Burgler backed off and said some nasty words at her and then fled the scene.

Afterwards, she dialled 999 and called the police and they came - but she was in a terrible frightened state. But she told the police that if she had been in the possession of a Gun or a Knife - she would have used it.

The terrible decision that victims of Burglary have to make, is where do you draw the line? If a burglar enters your house - once they are in there and you are still there in your house, then, any physical violence that you carry out on the Burglar will be free of any witnesses watching. It is that feeling of control that could possibly make you carry out that crime of murder, or serious wounding. I mean, he is in your house and all alone with you and can do almost anything he pleases. In that serious moment - the judgement call which we have to make, may be a deadly one.

My Grandma spoke the truth to those officers at that time and she meant every word of it. It was a case of [Kill or be Killed] and regardless of the possible crime of Murder or Man Slaughter - the Burglar is an unwelcome guest/criminal and when they choose to Burgle, then they know the risks.

What would you do? - would you kill a Burgler if it was necessary? You could dispose of the body without anyone knowing about it. That thought must cross some victims minds? There may be your son or daughter in your house and that danger will also cross your mind - not everyone has much time to think in that situation and that can prove to be a disaster - a life-changing moment, that you will have to live with for the rest of your lives

[spacebandit]

they wouldn't walk out and I'd take my chances with a jury

[Legend]

My grandad has a baseball bat under his bed incase a burglar did ever break in *touch wood* and ended up in his room or upstairs, he said he wouldn't think twice about using it because who knows what a burglar could do.

It's a pretty hard bat too and when I said ''what if it killed them?'' he just said he'd have to take his chances as he'd rather protect himself and family.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by the_stillness
I want you to understand something.

My Grandma was burgled twice when she was in her early thirties and on the second occasion - the Burglar decided to break in while she was asleep. But during his crime, he dropped something and my Gran woke up and bravely went down the stairs and ended up face to face with the Burglar. Now, at that moment - the Burglar pulled out a knife and went towards my Gran and she screamed. The Burgler backed off and said some nasty words at her and then fled the scene.

Afterwards, she dialled 999 and called the police and they came - but she was in a terrible frightened state. But she told the police that if she had been in the possession of a Gun or a Knife - she would have used it.

The terrible decision that victims of Burglary have to make, is where do you draw the line? If a burglar enters your house - once they are in there and you are still there in your house, then, any physical violence that you carry out on the Burglar will be free of any witnesses watching. It is that feeling of control that could possibly make you carry out that crime of murder, or serious wounding. I mean, he is in your house and all alone with you and can do almost anything he pleases. In that serious moment - the judgement call which we have to make, may be a deadly one.

My Grandma spoke the truth to those officers at that time and she meant every word of it. It was a case of [Kill or be Killed] and regardless of the possible crime of Murder or Man Slaughter - the Burglar is an unwelcome guest/criminal and when they choose to Burgle, then they know the risks.

What would you do? - would you kill a Burgler if it was necessary? You could dispose of the body without anyone knowing about it. That thought must cross some victims minds? There may be your son or daughter in your house and that danger will also cross your mind - not everyone has much time to think in that situation and that can prove to be a disaster - a life-changing moment, that you will have to live with for the rest of your lives

Credit to your Nan for actually going down - I wouldn't have the guts personally :P

But if I did come face to face, I think I'd just hurt them... I doubt I could kill, mmm. I'm unsure O_o

[Benji]

To be honest, if anything, this is what i am scared of, and is a fear of mine. Touch wood i will will be robbed/burguled, I wouldnt like to be face to face with an unknown guest as i would fear for my life, and i think its that, that i have a fear of....I fear the burgular and what he could do.

And tbh, i wouldnt wish this upon anyone...EVER.

What would happen if i was burguled? What could "it" do to me?

Scary.

[Mike]

There was an incident on our local news about a year ago involving a pensioner getting burgled. Basically his house was broken into, he went downstairs to see what was going on (his wife was upstairs) and the guy held a knife to him saying he would kill him & his wife etc if they didn't do what the bloke said, anyway the old guy was panicking like anyone would in that situation and picked some sort of glass ornament up and hit the burglar over the head (not sure if he killed him or not). Turns out the news story was all about what was going to happen to the pensior when all he was doing was protecting his house & more importantly himself and his wife.

[Jack]

I've never been burgled - thank God. But I understand how it would feel. My mum's friend was burgled and she woke up in the morning to find her house trashed. They even went into her bedroom while she was sleeping. When she woke up she came round our house in her dressing gown (we lived near eachother) because she was scared and didn't know what to do. She had 3 children sleeping in the house at the time as well. It disgusts me. The most sickening thing was, when my mum walked her back to her house, her stolen jewellery was scattered across the pavement and in the gutter. Theifs really do make my blood boil and if they were stealing my possessions, I don't know what I'd do. If I had a knife or gun, I would probably use it.

[bananarama]

You do what is needed to protect your life and family. If that means the burglar loses his life then that does not mean you would be had for murder.

If you attack and kill a burglar while they are trying to escape then you would be prosecuted.

If you hurt a burglar so he can no longer harm you but never the less you go on to kill him. Then once again you could be prosecuted.

I personally think burglars should lose all rights once in a property and victims immune from prosecution regardless of any action fatal or otherwise taken by the victim.

The law is an ass and will continue to be.......

[bananarama]

Burglary should be regarded as a major crime in all cases. Not petty crime as it is regarded now.

The pshchological effect a burglary can have on a victim can be devestating. In some cases it can bring on a heart attack.

I regard burglars as low life of the first order. Jail sentences should be in the decades instead of just a few months....

[Benji]

i agree - but like you said if a burgular should lose all rights when they get in your house but what if somone goes to the extent of Murdering Someone.

Now murder is against the law. But so is burgulary.

Burgulary Is a very hard topic i should imagine for politicians - I think the whole of england should have a "trial" period of maybe 12 months, that in which A burgular Loses all rights as soon as he enters your property.
That way No burgular would want to enter house if they knew they could be killed or hurt.

Then they should check if the "No rights law" made any difference, if it did then it should be changed, if not then it goes back to the way it is know.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Benji102000
i agree - but like you said if a burgular should lose all rights when they get in your house but what if somone goes to the extent of Murdering Someone.

Now murder is against the law. But so is burgulary.

Burgulary Is a very hard topic i should imagine for politicians - I think the whole of england should have a "trial" period of maybe 12 months, that in which A burgular Loses all rights as soon as he enters your property.
That way No burgular would want to enter house if they knew they could be killed or hurt.

Then they should check if the "No rights law" made any difference, if it did then it should be changed, if not then it goes back to the way it is know.

Polititions of all parties find it hard to think straight let alone pass suitable laws. Your suggestions I fear will never happen.

The psyhcho babble merchants wrap polititions around their little finger and will alway encourage polititions to feel sorry for the criminal and spend vast amounts of momey on hair brained prisoner reform schemes and stuff the victims....

[Lauren]

I'd put some tomato ketchup on them, maybe a bit of mustard if I'm feeling daring then-... oh... you said burglar....

[Sunny_01]

I was burgled when I was younger. I was out for less than an hour with my dog, returned home and when i walked into the house the dog went mad! It took me a few mins to realise that my back window was broken and hanging open, then to see the muddy foot prints on my table where they had climbed in. At this point I had no idea if they were still in the house, but dialled 999 then picked up a large kitchen knife to go through my house to check.

I was lucky noone was still in the house, I dont know what I would have done had I come face to face with him/her at that point. I was so angry that someone had dared to violate my home.

I remember reading a lot in the press about that farmer who killed the burglar in his house and went to prison for murder.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Sunny_01
I was burgled when I was younger. I was out for less than an hour with my dog, returned home and when i walked into the house the dog went mad! It took me a few mins to realise that my back window was broken and hanging open, then to see the muddy foot prints on my table where they had climbed in. At this point I had no idea if they were still in the house, but dialled 999 then picked up a large kitchen knife to go through my house to check.

I was lucky noone was still in the house, I dont know what I would have done had I come face to face with him/her at that point. I was so angry that someone had dared to violate my home.

I remember reading a lot in the press about that farmer who killed the burglar in his house and went to prison for murder.


Not just your home that was violated. More importantly a persons feeling of feeling secure in their own home is also violated.

This is why burgulary should always be regarded as a major crime with major sentencing running into decades fully served rather than just a few miserable months.

A work mate was burgled and they kicked seven bells out of his dog which died a few months later. Burglars are low life and should be treated accordingly...

[Sarah.]

I was burgled a few years ago and it's sad to think how upset they can make you by what that steal from you. I wasn't in the house when it happened, but the rest of my family were and I can only help think that if I was there I may have heard them, because they broke in directly below my room. It still scares me everyday thinking about the next time (if there is) that it happens.

To be fair, these people should not be in your home without you knowing and they know the worst that can happen, they are taking that chance, but if I ever came face to face with one, I'd make sure I'd have a weapon with me because I would rather protect my family and belongings than care about some burglar who wanted to take my posessions.

[LargeAndInCharge]

i have never been burguled

but if they had a weapon i could take them on as iam trained to fight from the army.

[Sod_James]

My grandad has a one of them hunting rifles and he allways told us form when we were kids that should somone ever break into our house we was to shoot him.

If somone broke into my house and threatend my family i would do anything to stop him / her without a shadow of a doubt. if i had a gun in my hand i would shot him dead without a second thought. even if i was sent to jail at least i would know my family where safe.

People should be given the right to protect themselves in their own homes.

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by Legend
My grandad has a baseball bat under his bed incase a burglar did ever break in *touch wood* and ended up in his room or upstairs, he said he wouldn't think twice about using it because who knows what a burglar could do.

It's a pretty hard bat too and when I said ''what if it killed them?'' he just said he'd have to take his chances as he'd rather protect himself and family.

I think that most people have a weapon of some kind, Legend - Just go into the kitchen and there is knives available. But a baseball bad is a good weapon, but it is essential to use it against a burglar - before they see you holding it. Come from behind and BANG/SMASH/WALLOP

I understand the prediciment of possibly killing the burglar - but that is the chance they take when entering someones house. Tough luck on their part!

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by LeKevin
Originally posted by the_stillness
I want you to understand something.

My Grandma was burgled twice when she was in her early thirties and on the second occasion - the Burglar decided to break in while she was asleep. But during his crime, he dropped something and my Gran woke up and bravely went down the stairs and ended up face to face with the Burglar. Now, at that moment - the Burglar pulled out a knife and went towards my Gran and she screamed. The Burgler backed off and said some nasty words at her and then fled the scene.

Afterwards, she dialled 999 and called the police and they came - but she was in a terrible frightened state. But she told the police that if she had been in the possession of a Gun or a Knife - she would have used it.

The terrible decision that victims of Burglary have to make, is where do you draw the line? If a burglar enters your house - once they are in there and you are still there in your house, then, any physical violence that you carry out on the Burglar will be free of any witnesses watching. It is that feeling of control that could possibly make you carry out that crime of murder, or serious wounding. I mean, he is in your house and all alone with you and can do almost anything he pleases. In that serious moment - the judgement call which we have to make, may be a deadly one.

My Grandma spoke the truth to those officers at that time and she meant every word of it. It was a case of [Kill or be Killed] and regardless of the possible crime of Murder or Man Slaughter - the Burglar is an unwelcome guest/criminal and when they choose to Burgle, then they know the risks.

What would you do? - would you kill a Burgler if it was necessary? You could dispose of the body without anyone knowing about it. That thought must cross some victims minds? There may be your son or daughter in your house and that danger will also cross your mind - not everyone has much time to think in that situation and that can prove to be a disaster - a life-changing moment, that you will have to live with for the rest of your lives

Credit to your Nan for actually going down - I wouldn't have the guts personally :P

But if I did come face to face, I think I'd just hurt them... I doubt I could kill, mmm. I'm unsure O_o

Thanks LeKevin, she was brave and at first - you just think it may be a cat or a rat or something? It sounds silly when you have none, but that is what she suspected at first. She was lucky that they didn't attack her - but instead fled the scene. If you hurt a burglar, then you may kill them accidently? It is a hard investigation for the police to follow up. I remember watching an episode of - The Bill once and DS John Bolton and DC Jim Carver were on the case and John was very sympathetic to the mans situation - after he had killed a burglar by accident, so he said?

[Jackie]

The problem is you can never say what youre gonna do until the situation arrises.

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by jackie46
The problem is you can never say what youre going to do until the situation arrises.

Exactly - a spontaneous decision on that terrible day! Also, if the burglar comes towards you with an object and his intentions are to harm you, then your reaction will have to be aggressive in return.

A machine gun with a silencer is good, ha!

ONLY JOKING

[Jackie]

I was burgled once when i lived in a bedsit they kicked the door in when i was out and stole my stereo and telly. I phoned the police they didnt do anything a couple of days later i walked past a seconhand shop and my stereo was in the window so i went in and explained i had been burgled they phoned the police and gave the description of it and i got it back but never saw the telly.

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by jackie46
I was burgled once when i lived in a bedsit they kicked the door in when i was out and stole my stereo and telly. I phoned the police they didnt do anything a couple of days later i walked past a seconhand shop and my stereo was in the window so i went in and explained i had been burgled they phoned the police and gave the description of it and i got it back but never saw the telly.

I am glad you got your stereo back Jackie - at least that is something.

Oh, here is your lovely TV replacement xxx

Are'nt I kind!!!


http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Third_Party_Photo/2007/02/20/1172009635_7998.jpg

[Jackie]

wow thanks god that is so ugly.

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by jackie46
wow thanks god that is so ugly.

Very old, but quite valuable! ha!

But quite worthless when we go digital