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Plucky pensioner fights off burglar armed with hammer, pushing them down stairs

A plucky pensioner fought off a burglar armed with a hammer in her own home, pushing him and causing him to fall down the stairs.

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The would-be thief used a door key stolen in an earlier burglary to sneak into the house, but was confronted by the woman on the landing.

Armed with a hammer, the cowardly crook demanded her husband's watch as he came out of a bedroom to see what the commotion was, but the thief hadn't reckoned on the plucky grandmother who pushed the thief and he fell down the stairs of the house in Green Meadow Road, Northfield, Birmingham.

The burglar then ran off, empty handed, towards Cranesbill Road with an accomplice, who had been keeping watch at the door, before the couple called the police.

A police hunt is now underway to find the man who terrified the 80-year-old and her husband just after 11am on Wednesday, January 21.

Inspector John Askew said: "This was a very frightening experience for the couple.

"They were just getting ready to head out for the day when they were confronted by a man, armed with a weapon, in their own home.

"Thankfully neither of them were harmed and the lady had the presence of mind to act bravely and quickly to protect both herself and her husband, causing the intruders to run off."

The offender is described by the couple as Asian, 6ft tall and fat. At the time of the offence he was wearing all dark clothing with a hoodie and a scarf used to cover his face.

Anyone with information which should call the police on 101, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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