In Britain your home is not your castle
A homeowner defending himself against a burglar faces life in prison because the thief fell and was killed.
A homeowner was arrested after a burglar plunged from the balcony of his top-floor flat and later died in hospital.
The intruder suffered head injuries and died in hospital after falling around 30ft on to a concrete path.
Patrick Walsh, 56, awoke to find an intruder in his flat on Corkland Road in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, south Manchester. The pair argued and the confrontation moved towards the rear window of the flat.
It is believed the intruder then smashed the window and clambered out on to a narrow ledge and fell to the ground.
Mr Walsh phoned police and at around 6.30am officers found the man on the ground outside the smart Victorian apartment block in Chorlton-cum-Hardy,
He was taken to hospital with serious head injuries.
Officers arrested Mr Walsh on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and are trying to establish whether the intruder was forced out of the window.
The arrest is expected to fuel arguments about the rights of householders to defend themselves against burglars.
As we yanks are wont to say, no shit.