83-year-old UK grandma chases burglar, brings him to justice

An 83-year-old UK grandma showed no fear when a prolific thief confronted her at her home. Instead, she chased him down the streets and brought him to justice.

Betty Thornton was alone when Michael Hall knocked on the front door of her home in Darlington, County Durham, in November last year, reports the Daily Mail.

Hall, who tricked his way into her home when her husband, Ray, 87, had gone to play bowls, pretended it was an emergency and he needed to use her phone.

Believing he was telling the truth, Thornton left him on the doorstep and returned inside to fetch the telephone.

But Hall followed her inside and began helping himself to CDs and other items before picking up her handbag.

"When I looked around he was right behind me. I thought what on earth is he going to do to me? It was such a shock," said the plucky pensioner.

Thornton, who patrolled the floors of Bhs in her role as store detective 25 years ago, gave a chase and pursued him out of the house and down the street before being helped by three youths.

Now, the 34-year-old thief has been jailed for three years.

"I know I’m getting on a bit. But I’m still a good runner. I kept thinking, ‘he’s got my bag, it’s got all my things in’. It came automatically to run after him," said Thornton.

"Some people would have stood crying," she added.

Hall has 49 previous offences and had only been out of jail five weeks when he hit Thornton.