Businessman who tackled burglar in his mother's home is held for 18 HOURS in police custody for 'assaulting' intruder

Vaughan Jones jumped into action when his widowed mother heard someone in her home

A businessman who spent 18 hours in custody after he tackled a man who was raiding his mother's house says 'the law stinks.

Vaughan Jones, 39, from Bargoed, in Gwent, South Wales jumped into action when his widowed mother heard a thief burgling her family home.

He called police before dashing around to help his mother Eleanor, 65, and confronted the burglar in a hand-to-hand struggle.

But the dad-of-three was left shocked when officers arrived and arrested him for allegedly assaulting the thief.

He said: 'I couldn't believe it. I said to them: 'Are you real?'.

'I told them I was acting in self defence. When they took me to the police station, I said 'The law stinks'.

Ms Jones was roused by the burglar when a pebble was used to smash her patio doors. She called her son who found the burglar and grappled with him.

But he was amazed when police arrested both him and the burglar when they arrived a few minutes later.

Mr Jones was then escorted to hospital under police guard and treated for a hairline fracture to his hand caused during the struggle with the burglar.

The accounts manager was then put in a police cell where he spent the night in custody.

And he was only released when the Crown Prosecution Service advised police not to press charges.

Mr Jones said: 'When they took me to hospital, I was embarrassed as I had two officers either side of me even in the X-ray room, you'd swear I was up for murder.

Mr Jones confronted a burglar in a hand-to-hand struggle at his mother's house in Bargoed, Gwent

Eleanor Jones, pictured, was roused when a pebble was used to smash her patio doors. She called her son who found the burglar and grappled with him

'Then I went back into the police station, I just broke down crying. I phoned my wife and she was crying too.

'If anyone who comes into your property, then you should be allowed to use as much force as is possible to be able to defend yourself and property.

'It's really shaken me up and I've had trouble sleeping. I'm also having flashbacks and keep thinking what could have happened.'



Gwent Police confirmed Mr Jones was arrested following the incident.

A spokesman said: 'When officers attend a live, ongoing situation they often have to take quick and decisive action based on what they are faced with to defuse the situation, ensure the safety of all involved and to maximise opportunities to gather evidence.

'Further enquiries follow, enabling officers to establish a fuller picture of what has taken place.'

The incident comes after the Government unveiled plans to protect home-owners who are confronted by burglars.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has said the 'public should be in no doubt' that the law is on their side during a break-in.