Man who attacked intruder with samurai sword walks free

A householder who faced a possible eight-year jail sentence for attacking an intruder with a samurai sword said today he just wanted to stop him getting into his house.

David Fullard, 46, from Brough, East Yorkshire, was charged with unlawful wounding but walked free when a jury found him not guilty, according to the Sun.

He picked up the ornamental samurai sword after two men, Michael Severs, 22, and Michael Smith, 19, barged into his home last March saying one of his sons owed them £5.

The pair threatened his partner Sue, who shouted for help.

Mr Fullard told GMTV he ran downstairs and picked up the sword which had been dropped by Smith, who had used it to threaten his partner, before using it to hit Severs, who was carrying a spade and a knuckle duster.

He said: "I've no real feelings for them. At the time I was just intent on stopping them coming into the house.

"I suppose it has to go through the court process to prove your innocence but it shouldn't have really gone to court in my opinion."

Hull Crown Court sentenced Severs and Smith, who admitted affray, to 100 hours of unpaid community service after hearing they threatened to rape Mr Fullard's partner, burn his house and kill his sons.

Mr Fullard told the Sun he only intended to hit Severs with the flat of the blade and not cut him.

He was cleared in November but the case could only be reported after the case against Severs and Smith finished.

A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service said charges were brought against Mr Fullard because it was decided he had gone beyond reasonable self-defence.

She said: "We decided that there was sufficient evidence and it was in the public interest because he went beyond self-defence.

"The judge also thought there was a case to be brought."