A kebab shop owner from Wisbech was awarded £750 by a crown court judge for his bravery in catching hold of two knife-wielding burglars who raided his home.
“I ran from the lounge and saw two men on the stairs. I thought they were going to kidnap my kids,” said father-of-two Jack Dennis, owner of Best Kebab and Pizza in Nene Quay.
“I ran after them thinking ‘how dare they come to my home’. I am not afraid, I wanted to protect my family, it is my first thought. I didn’t think about the knife.”
Mr Dennis caught the first burglar – who held a knife to his face – outside the neighbouring Chinese takeaway. After disarming him, the takeaway’s chef held him while he ran after the second man who threatened him with a snooker cue.
“I ignored the threat,” he said. “I was angry they had come to my home and knew they needed stopping.”
When Mr Dennis caught the second man near Freedom Bridge and returned to Nene Quay, a customer called police and two delivery drivers helped to restrain them.
Mr Dennis, 45, said he was on a day off and surfing the internet, while his children aged six and nine were in the bath, when he heard his wife scream.
After he heard the scream he ran through and chased the burglars down the stairs of his flat and out into the street.
Police were able to piece together most of the events from the extensive CCTV system installed by Mr Dennis at his home and shop.
Det Con Jon Edwards said: “The victim showed tremendous bravery going after the pair and then tackling them, despite both having weapons.
“His actions meant we were swiftly able to bring these men to justice.
“I’d also like to thank the other member of the public to assist him detaining the first man.”
The culprits broke into flat on October 16 last year.
Agnis Koskins, 26, and Andrejs Hincenbergs, 27, of Opportune Road, Wisbech, both admitted aggravated burglary and each was jailed for six years.
Hincenbergs also admitted possessing an offensive weapon.
* Was Mr Dennis right to have a go? Would you have tackled the burglars? Do you know a have-a-go- hero? Email: john.elworthy@archant.co.uk
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