Soldato
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What would you do if you found a thief in your house?
- Thread starter Robbo
- Start date
True - 'to hand/in the heat of the moment' would more reasonably be grabbing something and lashing out because you're taken by surprise rather than hearing the intruder, grabbing a golf club, going downstairs, taking them by surprise and then still hitting them after they are not violent and in fact ask you not to.
A friend who is a solicitor once told me that you can pretty much get away with beating up a burglar if you suddenly find them and just grab something - but if you say find them, leave the room to go grab a bat etc.. then come into the room and start deciding to go to town on them then it becomes a bit more pre-meditated and isn't really self defence/in the heat of the moment type stuff - in short make sure whatever you decide to hit them with is in the room when you find them!!!
You're probably right though - a jury isn't likely to convict except in extreme circumstances (and also prob why the police didn't pursue it in the OPs example) - clearly its also your word against there's so you've obviously got the defence of 'he went for me' etc...
Short of shooting them in the back as they're running away (a la Tony Martin) you can likely get away with using rather a lot of force should you catch a burglar.
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Defending my family is the only important thing. Ensure that the guy has a way to run away, make it clear to him that I know he is there, and then defend my own if needs be.
Don't bother with defending my property (as in, if he wants to run and he is holding by blu-ray player, just write off the blu-ray player rather than start some wrestling manouver to get it off him).
Exactly. Family are more important.
I'd stand my ground at the top of the stairs as its an obvious advantage point.
Soldato
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Really if you beat a burglar up be prepared for them to come back with friends later and repay the favour.
That does kind of suggest if you are going to beat up a burglar you need to go all the way and then hide the evidence. That isn't what I am suggesting, not at all.
That does kind of suggest if you are going to beat up a burglar you need to go all the way and then hide the evidence. That isn't what I am suggesting, not at all.
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I won't know what I would do unless I was in that situation. Might back off or might blow their head off who knows.
Just read this thread now whilst back in South Africa on holiday visiting my folks.
Anyway in SA it's pretty common knowledge if you come across a burglar in your house and you managed to get your gun etc. that you shoot to kill with 1 shot (more than 1 is excessive force) and then fire a bullet into your roof (or somewhere else less likely to cause leaks in the rain) and explain to the police that was your warning shot.
This was relayed to me by my best mate who lived on a farm and was part of the commando unit protecting the area.
I come from the belief that if a burglar comes into my private property, putting mine and my families wellbeing at risk, then they made that choice and should suffer any consequences that may occur if caught - I'm not sure why people think they should just be let off scott free or the burglar should have rights, they clearly left rights at the front door when they entered the house
A person should have the right to defend their territory, it's natural
Anyway in SA it's pretty common knowledge if you come across a burglar in your house and you managed to get your gun etc. that you shoot to kill with 1 shot (more than 1 is excessive force) and then fire a bullet into your roof (or somewhere else less likely to cause leaks in the rain) and explain to the police that was your warning shot.
This was relayed to me by my best mate who lived on a farm and was part of the commando unit protecting the area.
I come from the belief that if a burglar comes into my private property, putting mine and my families wellbeing at risk, then they made that choice and should suffer any consequences that may occur if caught - I'm not sure why people think they should just be let off scott free or the burglar should have rights, they clearly left rights at the front door when they entered the house
A person should have the right to defend their territory, it's natural
Had me genuinely lol'ing for a good 30 seconds. Well done Sir.
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It's very easy to say what you'd do - but being faced in the situation may prove a completely different reaction.
It depends on the situation and if the crook is armed or not and what is at stake. Who knows how I'd react? Furthermore, you won't know whether or not they have a concealed weapond. Problem is if I were to hit someone I fear I'd do an awful lot of damage to them, or potentially have life altering injuries inflicted upon me, or even my life. Not really worthwhile.
I have insurance, and if the crook is armed and I feel my life is in danger I'd try and get as much of a description of them as possible - if they attack me then I'd do my best to defend myself, if that means inflicting injuries onto them, then so be it.
It depends on the situation and if the crook is armed or not and what is at stake. Who knows how I'd react? Furthermore, you won't know whether or not they have a concealed weapond. Problem is if I were to hit someone I fear I'd do an awful lot of damage to them, or potentially have life altering injuries inflicted upon me, or even my life. Not really worthwhile.
I have insurance, and if the crook is armed and I feel my life is in danger I'd try and get as much of a description of them as possible - if they attack me then I'd do my best to defend myself, if that means inflicting injuries onto them, then so be it.
Kill him, dispose of the body, I own a fabrication company so have easy access to whats needed.
Reading that back it sounds a bit heavy but I don't know what weapons he has, for all I know he could be stealing from me to feed his starving kids or to feed his heroin habbit, either way not worth risking my life over.
Its actually the other way round, if you are taken by surprise by them and then grab something and hit them with it you have made a concious act to attack them, if you are carrying a golf club and are taken by surprise your just lunging in panic with whatever you happen to be carrying.
Him begging not to be hit does pose a problem. but then again if it was mid swing he could hardly stop, if it was beforehand... well the nazi they captured in saving private ryan begged not to be executed and then after they let him go he came back an killed on of them with a bayonet. Personally I wouldn't trust a guy making off with my dvd player.
Reading that back it sounds a bit heavy but I don't know what weapons he has, for all I know he could be stealing from me to feed his starving kids or to feed his heroin habbit, either way not worth risking my life over.
Its actually the other way round, if you are taken by surprise by them and then grab something and hit them with it you have made a concious act to attack them, if you are carrying a golf club and are taken by surprise your just lunging in panic with whatever you happen to be carrying.
Him begging not to be hit does pose a problem. but then again if it was mid swing he could hardly stop, if it was beforehand... well the nazi they captured in saving private ryan begged not to be executed and then after they let him go he came back an killed on of them with a bayonet. Personally I wouldn't trust a guy making off with my dvd player.
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Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
Ive never hit anyone with a golfclub but do they break or fold easily?
They look kind of flimsy
Id liek to think id beat the hell out of him probably to the legs so he couldnt escape, then call the Rozzers.
Id probably mock him too, not go as far as killing him he needs to be punished by the law.
In reality id also probably beg for mercy and wee myself.
They look kind of flimsy
Id liek to think id beat the hell out of him probably to the legs so he couldnt escape, then call the Rozzers.
Id probably mock him too, not go as far as killing him he needs to be punished by the law.
In reality id also probably beg for mercy and wee myself.
Soldato
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Capture them, tie them up, maybe leave them in a darkened room for a few days before calling the police.
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Stupid laws....
If he's downstairs, not a lot you can do,unless he attacks you. But if he's upstairs, you can defend yourself/attack.
Don't know about flats. This is what a policeman told the missus.
We have three shotguns, I couldn't shoot him, that would be intent - Unlocking the gun cabinet, loading my gun - Unless it was a bit of siege, and I was near the guns.
If he's downstairs, not a lot you can do,unless he attacks you. But if he's upstairs, you can defend yourself/attack.
Don't know about flats. This is what a policeman told the missus.
We have three shotguns, I couldn't shoot him, that would be intent - Unlocking the gun cabinet, loading my gun - Unless it was a bit of siege, and I was near the guns.
Depends if you hit him with the shaft (oo er) or if you hit him with the head (oo er)
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It's a cultural thing. South Africa have perhaps the lowest respect for life in the world. Although America is a close second.
The idea of killing a human being whilst NOT in self defence, just as some kind of 'that'll show ya that I'm tha man' kinda thing, with the lame 'formal' excuse 'He was going to steal some of my DVDs' - is fairly repugnant to me.
