Dramatic pictures show the moment a wine-snatching burglar was apprehended by a daring resident – who sprang out of the sauna to give chase.
Laurence Kemball-Cook had been working up a sweat in an outbuilding at his parents’ home near Canterbury when he noticed the thief through the kitchen window.
The dad-of-one grabbed his dressing gown and dashed to confront the criminal as he exited the rear of the house in Harbledown, clutching four bottles of wine.
Mr Kemball-Cook eventually managed to stop the intruder via a “flying rugby tackle” and police soon arrived to arrest him.
The thief, Damien Davey, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court this week.
Recalling the dramatic events of May 26, Mr Kemball-Cook described it as “an out-of-body experience”.
The 39-year-old told KentOnline he had been “really startled” when he first spotted the burglar.
“My heart rate shot up. I was really unsure of what was going on,” he said.
The tech company CEO grabbed his dressing gown and “without thinking” ran to apprehend the raider “because I knew I had to defend my property”.
“I sprinted around to the back of the house, and it coincided with him stepping out of the door,” Mr Kemball-Cook said.
“We were both really startled.
“I think the really interesting thing is when you’re in this situation, it’s not something you can train for or prepare for.”
Davey was holding four bottles of wine, and Mr Kemball-Cook asked: “What are you doing?”
“He said, ‘I’m just getting wine’ or something really weird,” the London resident said.
“Five seconds after, I thought, ‘Right, this is not right. There’s no chance I’m going to let him go. He’s got to pay the full price in respect to legal consequences for breaking in.’
“So, I immediately did my best to perform a citizen’s arrest and held onto his wrist and shouted.
“I shouted a lot because I wanted people to come and help me.”
Thankfully, a lodger living at his parents’ home, who works as a security guard, was on hand to help.
However, just as he arrived, Davey broke free.
“He sprinted off as fast as he possibly could,” Mr Kemball-Cook recalled.
“I’m in my flip flops and my dressing gown after a lovely, relaxing sauna, and we both pursued him.
“He was about to go down a grassy bank within the property, and I knew that if I didn’t do something, he was going to get away.
“So I kind of dived like a flying rugby tackle across his shoulders.
“I don’t think I’ve done that since I played.”
The pair managed to sit on him and hold him until police arrived.
Davey revealed he had been sleeping in the garden the previous night, and did not think anyone was home.
Within about 10 minutes, officers came and took him away.
Mr Kembell-Cook added: “It was an out-of-body experience, something I never want anyone else to have to go through.
“I guess I’m lucky, being young and fit, that I was able to apprehend him.
“I’m glad it was me rather than someone elderly or vulnerable.
“It’s a total invasion of our sacred sanctuary. That’s my family home where I grew up, and where my parents live.”
On Monday this week, Davey was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to burglary.
The 40-year-old, of no fixed address, was handed 30 months ’ imprisonment and was ordered to cough up a £228 penalty.
Mr Kemball-Cook says that had Davey asked his mum and dad for help rather than resorting to theft, they would have obliged.
“They hold charity and community events at their house,” he said.
“My parents are such good people, they would have fed him properly and given him a glass of wine.
“It’s really sad there’s not more provision for homeless people in Canterbury.
“I understand that people get in tough situations, and the government needs to do more.”
Since the incident, security has been increased at the family home.
