Father thanks have-a-go hero (From Southend Standard)

Father thanks have-a-go hero

5:00pm Friday 15th February 2013 in Echo News

A FATHER has expressed his utmost gratitude to a have-a-go-hero who caught the burglar who raided his home in Chalkwell.

It comes after the Echo reported how fitness instructor, and ex paratrooper, Sam Lake, 25, fearlessy tackled the crook, who was armed with a knife.

He managed to hold him down in Chalkwell Avenue until police arrived to make an arrest.

The victim, who did not want to be named, said his famiily were hugely grateful to Mr Lake for stepping in.

He said: “Sam was the hero because he acted instinctively and caught the guy, all credit to him.

“Obviously he’s very fit. He was in Chalkwell Avenue closer to the seafront than where it actually happened, so he had a bit of a catch up to do.”

The victim’s wife had returned from doing the school run to their family home in Esplanade Gardens, Chalkwell, to find the burglar in her home before he made off.

Mr Lake of Cossington Road, Westcliff, who has worked for Military Boot Camp for about 18 months, saw the commotion and swung into action.