Homeowner 'may face burglar murder charge'
A homeowner who confronted an intruder during an alleged burglary could be facing a murder charge after the man died in hospital.
The intruder, 43, fell up to 40ft from a fourth floor window after an altercation with the flat's occupant.
The homeowner was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after police found a man's unconscious body outside the apartment block in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester.
Police confirmed today that he had died in hospital after suffering severe head injuries.
The 56-year-old homeowner had been released on bail, but could now face questioning on suspicion of murder.
His arrest is expected to revive arguments about the rights of householders to defend themselves against burglars.
Farmer Tony Martin was jailed for shooting dead a burglar in 1999.
Greater Manchester Police said the occupant of the apartment was woken at 6.10am on Monday to find the intruder in his flat. It is thought the pair got into an argument.
A neighbour from a nearby property, who asked not to be named, said: "I was up at around that time, and I did hear a noise like a window being broken."
Another local said: "If the guy who fell out of the window was breaking into the property then why was the homeowner arrested?"
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "At about 6.10am on Monday, 6 Aug, 2007, police were called to Corkland Road in Chorlton-cum-Hardy following a report that a 56-year-old man had woken to find a man in his flat.
"Following an exchange of words, the alleged burglar was found unconscious on the pavement outside the flat."
After the Tony Martin case, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers said any householder can use reasonable force to protect themselves or others, or to carry out an arrest or to prevent crime.
A homeowner who confronted an intruder during an alleged burglary could be facing a murder charge after the man died in hospital.
The intruder, 43, fell up to 40ft from a fourth floor window after an altercation with the flat's occupant.
The homeowner was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after police found a man's unconscious body outside the apartment block in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester.
Police confirmed today that he had died in hospital after suffering severe head injuries.
The 56-year-old homeowner had been released on bail, but could now face questioning on suspicion of murder.
His arrest is expected to revive arguments about the rights of householders to defend themselves against burglars.
Farmer Tony Martin was jailed for shooting dead a burglar in 1999.
Greater Manchester Police said the occupant of the apartment was woken at 6.10am on Monday to find the intruder in his flat. It is thought the pair got into an argument.
A neighbour from a nearby property, who asked not to be named, said: "I was up at around that time, and I did hear a noise like a window being broken."
Another local said: "If the guy who fell out of the window was breaking into the property then why was the homeowner arrested?"
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "At about 6.10am on Monday, 6 Aug, 2007, police were called to Corkland Road in Chorlton-cum-Hardy following a report that a 56-year-old man had woken to find a man in his flat.
"Following an exchange of words, the alleged burglar was found unconscious on the pavement outside the flat."
After the Tony Martin case, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers said any householder can use reasonable force to protect themselves or others, or to carry out an arrest or to prevent crime.
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