ken clarke, "it's legal to stab a burglar"
Discussion
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-239...
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke today said stabbing a burglar to defend your home will be legal under government plans.
He insisted homeowners would be able to use "whatever force necessary" in their homes.
Mr Clarke illustrated plans for a "Tony Martin law", named after the Norfolk farmer who was jailed for shooting a teenage burglar dead.
He told the BBC: "If an old lady finds she has got an 18-year-old burgling her house and she picks up a kitchen knife and sticks it in him, she has not committed a criminal offence and we will make that clear. There is no doubt that you or I or anybody else is entitled to use reasonable force to defend ourselves or our homes, or both."
But there was confusion over whether ministers will introduce new laws on self-defence. Mr Clarke had vowed to "bring forward legislation" but now says the Government is "clarifying the law".
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke today said stabbing a burglar to defend your home will be legal under government plans.
He insisted homeowners would be able to use "whatever force necessary" in their homes.
Mr Clarke illustrated plans for a "Tony Martin law", named after the Norfolk farmer who was jailed for shooting a teenage burglar dead.
He told the BBC: "If an old lady finds she has got an 18-year-old burgling her house and she picks up a kitchen knife and sticks it in him, she has not committed a criminal offence and we will make that clear. There is no doubt that you or I or anybody else is entitled to use reasonable force to defend ourselves or our homes, or both."
But there was confusion over whether ministers will introduce new laws on self-defence. Mr Clarke had vowed to "bring forward legislation" but now says the Government is "clarifying the law".
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff