Man, 85, takes seat on model railway thief

A MODEL railway enthusiast tackled a thief who had attempted to steal his train collection by sitting on him until police arrived, a court has heard.

John Headington, 85, a former railway worker, and his wife Susan, 57, apprehended Robert Barnes at their cottage in south Lincolnshire during the break-in on Nov 20 last year.

Barnes, 28, was carrying a metal butter knife in his pocket and had used a brick to smash his way in to the Headingtons’ rural home while the couple slept, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Mrs Headington was woken at 1am by the sound of the break-in before the couple confronted Barnes, the court was told.

Barnes, who was drunk and told police he was homeless, admitted burglary and a separate charge of possessing a bladed article.

He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for burglary and an extra four months for the knife offence.

Judge Simon Hirst said the couple acted with “remarkable bravery”.

John Headington with his model trains. A court heard how he and his wife caught the housebreaker