Householder using reasonabe force against intruder
22/07/2011
A householder who was arrested on suspicion of murdering a burglar in Greater Manchester has been released without charge. GCN's Mark George QC appeared on ITV Granada news to provide legal context on this decision not to prosecute.
Peter Flanagan, 59, was held after the death of John Bennell, 27, who died from a stab wound to the chest after a number of masked men tried to break into Mr Flanagan's home in Salford in June 2011.
Mark George QC was asked to comment on whether, following this decision not to prosecute, the law was now in greater confusion. Mark commented that it is difficult to put in place black and white rules as to what is "reasonable force" and said such rules wouldn't help a householder faced with an intruder since they often wouldn't be able to tell whether the intruder was armed or not.
Missed it?
The programme was broadcast on 22/7/11 at 6.00pm. The news report can be viewed again by clicking the link below - Mark George QC appears 2min 30sec into the item.
