Omari Roberts, 23, was widely praised after tackling Tyler Juett, 17, and a 14-year-old accomplice when he caught them breaking into his mother’s home.

He chased the 14-year-old off, then returned to the house to find Juett still there. They scuffled and Juett suffered a six-inch stab wound that severed vital arteries.

Juett was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.

Websites which were set up in his memory were swamped with messages backing the right of householders to protect their property.

But yesterday Roberts appeared in court accused of murdering Juett and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The burglary was at the home of foster carer Jacqueline McKenzie-Johnson in Old Basford, Nottingham in March.