Pensioner tackles intruders (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Pensioner tackles intruders

AN 89-YEAR-OLD pensioner tackled three thugs who invaded his home near Stow-on-the-Wold.

Leslie Preston saw a man entering his front door at his cottage in Bledington at about 5pm on Friday.

The front door opened into the lounge where his wife, Ella, 84, was sitting.

The man told him to turn his water supply off.

Opening a cupboard under the kitchen sink, the intruder told him to get a spanner to turn the water off with.

A second man entered, saying the water should be turned off because they had put chlorine in it.

Mr Preston realised they were impostors because, as a retired construction worker familiar with Bledington's water pipes, he knew the valve was not situated there.

A third man entered and opened every door to create escape routes before ripping a locked bureau open in the lounge and taking money from it.

Mrs Preston, who cannot walk, shouted that they were wrecking furniture.

Pushing the first two men towards the door, Mr Preston told them to leave.

They clashed in the lounge.

He tripped one up but the intruder pulled the pensioner down with him.

"I was looking down into his eyes when we were down on the ground," said Mr Preston, who suffered heart failure two and a half years ago.

Both men held his arms while one pulled his wallet, full of money, from his back pocket.

The third man meanwhile searched beds and drawers upstairs.

Leaving Mr Preston on the floor, they escaped with "a large amount" of cash.

All three were white and dressed as waterboard officials.

The first was about 5ft 10ins tall, of average build and 20-30 years old.

The second was around 5ft 7ins tall and heavily built, with short, brown hair.

The third was younger than the others, about 5ft 10ins tall and of large build.

Mr Preston, who suffered arm and leg bruises, said: "I wasn't scared.

"I felt like hitting them.

"I'm really angry with them and I hope they catch them."

Anyone with information is urged to telephone the police on 0845 090 1234.