No charges over burglary stabbing

A 15-year-old boy who stabbed an intruder he caught in the garage of his family home will not be charged. File photo / Thinkstock

A 15-year-old boy who stabbed a burglar in a scuffle inside his West Auckland home has escaped charges.

The schoolboy and his father apprehended the 19-year-old intruder after finding him robbing their Henderson property on July 28.

A source told The Herald the intruder tried to escape the house after hearing the boy's father.

He jumped out of a window, landing on the 15-year-old.

The older teenager was stabbed in an ensuing scuffle.

Police this afternoon said the "public interest" would be best served by referring the incident to Waitakere Youth Aid.

No criminal charges would be laid.

Anyone who finds an intruder on their property should exercise caution and not put themselves at risk, police said.

REASONABLE FORCE

2002: Northland farmer Paul McIntyre charged with shooting an intruder stealing a quad bike from his Whangae farm.

Result: Acquitted after a trial.

2006: Penrose gun shop worker Greg Carvell charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after shooting a man who was trying to rob his store and was threatening to kill him with a large machete.

Result: JPs sitting in the Auckland District Court dismissed the charge.

2008: Otara liquor store owner Virender Singh charged after he defended himself with a hockey stick against five drunken teenagers who were trying to rob his store.

Result: Charges dropped.

- HERALD ONLINE