Always keep a sword in the house!

[Roger Gregory]

From The Times today:

November 27, 2003

Sword widow, 80, beats burglars
By Chris Johnston

AN 80-YEAR-OLD widow used a First World War ceremonial sword to scare off two burglars who were ransacking her home in Broadstone, Dorset.
The thieves fled empty-handed after Jean Freke wrestled with one of them before threatening them with the sword she grabbed from the wall.

Mrs Freke, a former United Nations secretary, was working on her will when the burglars broke in. “I was in the drawing room when I heard six or seven most loud explosions coming from the front door,” she said last night from her hospital bed. “I went in the hall and two men came bursting in. They grabbed hold of me and pushed me backwards. It was pretty rough and tumble, I can tell you.

“Then the second chap thought he’d go and ransack my house and left his friend to do the fighting. He gave me a violent shove and I landed on my back on the floor. That made me a little nervous, but I managed to get to my feet and carry on with the fight.”

The pensioner said she was trying to prevent the burglars from taking a bag that contained her chequebook.

“Then I realised that in the corner of the room was my sword, which I do keep for self-defence. I manoeuvred him in that direction and was taking punches everywhere.”

Mrs Freke managed to get to her feet and grab the 3ft long weapon, which she drew from its scabbard and thrust in the chest of one of the assailants. “I shouted ‘get out, get out’, and they did,” she said.

Mrs Freke, who has angina, suffered a bruised arm in Sunday’s attack, but was otherwise uninjured, police said. She remained in Poole hospital so that her condition could be monitored.

The raiders, described as white, aged 18 to 20, 6ft tall and wearing dark clothing, kicked in the front of Mrs Freke’s home before confronting her in the drawing room, police said.

The sword belonged to her father-in-law Ernest, an army officer who trained at Sandhurst and fought in the First World War. He passed it down to Mrs Freke’s late husband Raymond, who was a violin maker before suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Detective Inspector Garry Smith, of Poole CID, praised the “plucky” widow for her bravery and described the attack as cowardly. He believed the thieves were responsible for 15 similar raids.

[Colin KC]

I seem to remember Ticky Donovan chasing a bunch of hoodlums down the street with a Katana & getting praised for his quick thinking & "have a go" attitude, I mean Ticky Donovan (mind you, it was in the early eighties, or was it the seventies:confused:)

[keith_beef]

..snip..

Detective Inspector Garry Smith, of Poole CID, praised the “plucky” widow for her bravery and described the attack as cowardly. He believed the thieves were responsible for 15 similar raids.

When I'm that age, I'll be sitting in my house, thinking "come on, when are you little ****s going to try it on", just in the hope that they will, wo I can cut them into little pieces.

I think that this woman deserves an OBE much more than Wilkinson.


Keith.

[keith_beef]

I seem to remember Ticky Donovan chasing a bunch of hoodlums down the street with a Katana & getting praised for his quick thinking & "have a go" attitude, I mean Ticky Donovan (mind you, it was in the early eighties, or was it the seventies:confused:)

And who the blinking flip is Ticky Donovan?


Keith.

[Sajuma]

Yeah, who is that bloke?

Juha

[Colin KC]

I'm feeling very old now, thanks guys

[Ophidian]

Well done to her

But reading her qoute:

“Then I realised that in the corner of the room was my sword, which I do keep for self-defence. I manoeuvred him in that direction and was taking punches everywhere.”

I think that she could have gotten herself into a lot of trouble if she had killed the and admiting she kept the sword for self defense.

Personally, I think anyone who illeagally breaks into your home should waive all rights : That is certainly the case in some of the African coutries that I have worked in Knowing that your body might end up in a ditch, with you ID papers destoryed is a very good deterrent to a would-be burglar.

[Colin KC]

http://www.ekgb.org.uk/td.htm

[The General]

Lacking the practical space for my Katana and Long sword I keep my Katana next to the bed and the longsword next to my TV. Simply to make it possible to inspect for rust each morning and each time I use the TV.

The fact that they are in easy reach in my two most used locations in my rooms is by the by! I don't own nor ever will own anything for self defence. You can quote me on that. :p

[stonehard]

If you dont remember Ticky Donovan He is the British karate Coach. cant see why he would need a Katana as he is and 8th Dan or perhaps he was only 7th dan in them days.
As for sitting at home waiting with a sword. Didnt some farmer get sent to prison for doing that. Killed some prat with a shotgun. Judge said it was pre-meditated coz he was waiting or somthing

[Andy]

yeh thats what i heard. but then they didn't punch him like the blokes did to the sweet killing old lady