Man charged after fatal burglary

A man has appeared in court charged with aggravated burglary at a house where an intruder was stabbed to death by the homeowner.

Michael Anthony Thorpe, 33, of Outwood Road, Heald Green, Stockport, remained handcuffed to a security guard during the brief hearing at Stockport Magistrates' Court today.

Thorpe is accused of entering the house of Vincent Cooke, 39, in Bramhall, Stockport, on Saturday night while armed with a knife.

One of the intruders, Raymond Jacob, from Wythenshawe, south Manchester, suffered fatal stab wounds in the struggle.

Mr Cooke was arrested on suspicion of murder and is now on bail until next month.

Detectives investigating the stabbing said they must determine whether it was "a criminal act" or "self-defence".

Mr Cooke was initially at home alone at the time of the incident, around 7.50pm on Saturday, but his wife, Karen, and their 12-year-old son returned during the incident. They escaped unharmed.

Police, along with paramedics, gave first aid to Mr Jacob, but he died shortly afterwards.

No pleas were entered at today's hearing and there was no application for bail.

Thorpe was remanded into custody to appear for trial at Manchester Crown Court on December 2.

PA