Have-a-go hero in flip-flops chases down would-be burglar

A HAVE-A-GO hero donned flip flops to chase down and detain a bungling burglar in the early hours of Monday morning.

John Manley, 53, chased the would-be thief down a street in Southport after partner Trish Lewis spotted him approaching houses along Banastre Road.

John, who works as a driver but previously spent 11 years in the French Foreign Legion, sprang into action after Trish was woken by a loud bang and spotted the suspicious looking man.

Trish said: “I got out of bed and looked through the front bedroom window. He was across the road looking in cars, I watched him until he was out of sight.

“I continued to look out of the window, same male comes back and walks straight down my next door neighbour’s entry

– the house was empty which I already knew.

“I awoke my partner who quickly dressed and put flip flops on. He found the male had smashed my neighbour’s back door window and was heading over to our garden.”

John then chased down the street and caught him hiding behind a wall on nearby Mosley Street, where he restrained him until police got to the scene.

John said that his years in the Foreign Legion meant he was trained in close protection work and warned others not to approach people if they risk putting themselves in danger.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside police said that a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary and that CCTV and forensic inquiries are ongoing.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious at this time, or has heard any information since, is asked to contact Merseyside police via social media or by calling 101 with reference 19100642278. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.