Businessman Andrew Woodhouse cleared of using unreasonable force against fuel burglars | Mail Online
Now if he was chasing thieves off his land and was attacked by one of them who was armed with a fence post why was he the only one prosecuted for violence?
Defence lawyer Andrew Taylor told the jury said: 'These thieves thought they would have nice easy pickings that night.
'Many people would have given up and just claimed on their insurance but Mr Woodhouse is made of sterner stuff.
'He showed stoicism, courage and fitness to chase them.
'One of the men was armed and went to attack him. He acted in lawful self-defence.
'He agrees the red mist came down which you can understand when his business has almost been wiped out by crime.
'If it hadn't been for him these men would not have been caught. Where are we in society when a person cannot act in self-defence to protect his property. That is what Mr Woodhouse was doing.'
Kevin Green, 53, and Timothy Cross, 32, tried to escape into a neighbouring field with jerry cans full of stolen fuel.
But Woodhouse chased Green - and caught him near their getaway car. He then attacked Green leaving him with two broken legs and a broken arm.
The court heard he then chased Cross before rugby-tackling him. He lay on top of the raider until police arrived.
Prosecutor James Wilson described it an 'unreasonable and unlawful assault.'
He said: 'It was not reasonable self-defence. Mr Woodhouse lost his temper and went over the top.
'He is a hard-working businessman but he has let his frustration get the better of him. He lost it.'
Mr Woodhouse said he was 'gutted and sickened' to learn the extent of Green's injuries.
'Many people would have given up and just claimed on their insurance but Mr Woodhouse is made of sterner stuff.
'He showed stoicism, courage and fitness to chase them.
'One of the men was armed and went to attack him. He acted in lawful self-defence.
'He agrees the red mist came down which you can understand when his business has almost been wiped out by crime.
'If it hadn't been for him these men would not have been caught. Where are we in society when a person cannot act in self-defence to protect his property. That is what Mr Woodhouse was doing.'
Kevin Green, 53, and Timothy Cross, 32, tried to escape into a neighbouring field with jerry cans full of stolen fuel.
But Woodhouse chased Green - and caught him near their getaway car. He then attacked Green leaving him with two broken legs and a broken arm.
The court heard he then chased Cross before rugby-tackling him. He lay on top of the raider until police arrived.
Prosecutor James Wilson described it an 'unreasonable and unlawful assault.'
He said: 'It was not reasonable self-defence. Mr Woodhouse lost his temper and went over the top.
'He is a hard-working businessman but he has let his frustration get the better of him. He lost it.'
Mr Woodhouse said he was 'gutted and sickened' to learn the extent of Green's injuries.
Comment