'He may be 88, but he is no shrinking violet': Granddaughter's pride as Tom, 88, fights off burglar

Tom Bull, aged 88, sent the thief packing after he forced his way into his Kingswinford bungalow through a window.

And his granddaughter Deborah Smith, who wants his attacker brought to justice, said he wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

The great-great grandfather was awoken after hearing a noise and went to see what was happening when he came across the burglar is his hallway.

A struggle ensued and Mr Bull suffered cuts to his arms as he was restrained. He reached for his walking stick to try to protect himself before battering the thief over the head. The crook then fled empty-handed through the window he entered.

The Express & Star reported the attack last week and today Ms Smith, a 49-year-old pharmacist, said: "He rang me when it happened. I live in the area so I came over. He was pretty distressed and he was breathing heavily.

"He had been bleeding. He cut his arms in the scuffle because he has weak skin and it caused it to graze.

"But he quickly changed his attitude. He knows it could have been much worse, but for his actions.

"He would do it again. He wont let himself be too scared to live in his own home and he is not.

"He is a tough guy. He may be 88 but he is no shrinking violet.

"We need to prevent this sort of thing happening to another person, perhaps a small old lady or someone.

"It was terrible and we want the man responsible caught and brought to justice."

Mr Bull, who served with the Welsh Guards during the Second World War, said: "All I was interested in was getting him out. He said don't hit me - then I walloped him.

"I should like to meet him properly. He's the lowest of the low."

Detective Constable Richard Hall, of West Midlands Police, who is investigating the case, said: "Nothing was stolen during the break-in, but we need to catch the offender to prevent this happening to anyone else so I am asking anyone who saw anything suspicious to contact me on 101."