Colonel Chases Burglar With Night Stick On Show

A retired Army colonel told today how he jumped out of bed and chased a burglar from his home...with his privates on parade!

Col John Marsden,aged 68,who ironically took part in a marathon running race a few hours after the drama,sprinted up the road with no clothes on when he heard the crook breaking into the house in Wilts.

The colonel was watching late-night television in bed with wife Margaret when the raider broke in.

Col Marsden said today "I am embarrassed,to say the least,but I am still angry I didn't catch him."

He said he found the man at the top of his stairs when he went to investigate the sound of someone breaking in.

The thief took one look and fled in terror at the sight of the colonel in all his glory,but not before snatching Mrs Marsden's handbag which was on the bannister.

It contained £20 in cash,along with Mrs Marsden's chequebook and credit cards.

The raider also caused damage to the front door of the house,which Col Marsden has now repaired.

Ironically,a few hours after the raid,Col Marsden had taken part in the XIII World Veterans' Athletic Championships marathon race at Gateshead.

He regularly competes in the annual London marathon,and is now in training for a 17-mile multi-terrain run in Wales next month.

He retired from the Army in 1985,before taking a desk job with the Ministry of Defence.

He started running marathons more than 25 years ago and decided to continue after retirement in a bid to raise money for charity.

The colonel said "We were in bed watching television when we heard a bang outside.

"We thought it was nothing so we ignored it,but a second noise was a little more disturbing."

Police think the burglar threw a stone through the window of the house to check if anyone was at home,before breaking in.

Col Marsden said "Shortly after the second bang,we heard footsteps coming up to the bedroom.

"I jumped out of bed and confronted this fellow on the landing.

"He ran for it,so I chased him in to the front door and out into the street."

Because he was naked,Col Marsden said he did not feel able to continue the pursuit.

He said "After I chased him out to the street,another witness saw him run off towards the town centre.

"It was fortuanate that he chose to run away and he was just lucky I did not get my hands on him.

"I did what I thought I should do although I am a bit embarrassed about it now" he added.

"My wife was obviously very distressed and shaken by the whole incident.I was angry I couldn't chase him further,but I did have no clothes on."

Sgt Christian Lange,of Devizes police,said "We always urge caution if someone is faced with an intruder in their home.

"But we would stress it is extremely rare for a burglar to enter a house when the occupiers are at home."

He said the burglar was in his mid-20s,about 6ft tall with long shaggy hair and a dishevelled appearance.