[A_perfect_lady]

Great story! I am curious, though, why he used the gun to hit the assailant instead of just shooting him with it. Not criticizing, just wondering.

[Squawk 8888]

I wouldn’t bet my life on a gun wrestled from a stranger being real, loaded and functional.

[jim-x]

“and possession of an imitation firearm with intent.”

It was a fake gun.

[Talking_Mouse]

...possession of an imitation firearm with intent.

I think the gun was fake.

[visualops]

Michael Atkins, 25, and Dean Atkins, 26, both of no fixed address, deny murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, wounding with intent and possession of an imitation firearm with intent.

Because it wasn't a fireable weapon.

Disgusting the level of violence of these thugs. They don't seem to be robbers who kill so much as murderers who steal stuff.

[Smokin' Joe]

Michael Atkins, 25, and Dean Atkins, 26, both of no fixed address, deny murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, wounding with intent and possession of an imitation firearm with intent.

He couldn't. It was not a functional firearm.

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

I am curious, though, why he used the gun to hit the assailant instead of just shooting him with it.

It was a toy gun! That is happening a lot in GB.

Regards,
GtG

[beebuster2000]

could this be why he didnt shoot?

“possession of an imitation firearm with intent.”

fake gun?

[montag813]

Great story! I am curious, though, why he used the gun to hit the assailant instead of just shooting him with it. Not criticizing, just wondering.

Right. Especially when you know they will never get the death penalty, wouldn't you want to kill the animals who held a knife to your daughter's throat? How could you leave such vermin alive?

[slane]

I am curious, though, why he used the gun to hit the assailant instead of just shooting him with it.

I've read the replies above stating that the gun was fake. However, if the gun had been real, and the homeowner had used it to kill his assailant, there is a good chance that he would have been charged with murder under British law. A few years ago a British farmer named Tony Martin was convicted of attempted murder for shooting a burglar who had broken into his home(for the 2nd or 3rd time). He had been harassed by a gang of thugs for months, but when he defended his property, he went to prison. Britain has an astronomically high burglary rate, precisely because the robbers know that their victims are unarmed. Fair play to this man for defending himself!

[Sir Gawain]

The story says it was a fake gun.

[Jim Noble]

why he used the gun to hit the assailant instead of just shooting him with it

The gun wasn't real.

[ValerieTexas]

Michael Atkins, 25, and Dean Atkins, 26, both of no fixed address, deny murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, wounding with intent and possession of an imitation firearm with intent.