SHOCK FOR BURGLAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 450, 16 December 1930, Page 8

SHOCK FOR BURGLAR

COWBOY WITH GUN RUNNING REVOLVER FIGHT ‘•English Jack,” a former Texas cowboy with a reputation for being quick‘on the draw, provided a good, old-fashioned. Wild West reception for an armed burglar who lately broke into his general shop at Hockley, Essex. /‘English Jack.’’ whose real name is Mr Alan Frewin, was awakened by the noise of a motor-cycle outside the house. Then he heard a bump in one of the lower rooms. ‘‘ I slipped on some clothes, loaded mv revolver, which was my constant companion in Texas and crept downstairs,” said Mr Frewin. “I saw no one in the room at the back of the shop, so 1 stood at the back door listening for a sound from the garden. As I stood there I felt the muzzle of a gun pushed into the small of my back, and an educated voice said in low tones. ‘I am very desperate. Let me go. If you don’t, t’ll shoot you.’’

“I stood motionless l>jr about two seconds,” Mr Frewin continued, ‘‘then 1 swung quickly round and caught the man a terrific blow on the shoulder. He fired at the same moment, and the bullet passed through the sleeve of my coat, grazing my arm. which was also badly burned.

“The man then charged me in the back, and 1 went down, upsetting a table. When I had picked myself up he i running down the garden. I followed, shooting as 1 ran. Then T fell into a ditch. I saw him get over the fence, but 1 <oul< not get near him in time.

“I shot low because I was afraid of killing him. If T had shot to kill he wouldn’t have got away so easily.”

Detectives searched the countryside for the burglar, but they were not able to trace hint.