Legal News
Homeowner Not Charged over Alleged Burglar’s Death (10 October 2011)
Date: 10/10/2011
Vincent Cooke, who was arrested following stabbing an intruder at his home in Greater Manchester, will not be charged over the intruder’s death, it has emerged. Mr. Cooke was questioned by police on suspicion of murder following stabbing Raymond Jacob after a struggle in his Bramhall home in September. The Crown Prosecution Service has said that Mr. Cooke would not face charges in relation to the incident. Mr. Cooke was home alone at the time of the incident. His wife and their 12-year-old son returned at the time of the struggle but managed to escape unharmed.
The Crown Prosecution Service claimed that Mr Cooke acted in “reasonable self-defence”. Mr. Cooke has told that he will “never forget” the day he was forced to fight for his life. Mr. Cooke added that he had faced “a living nightmare” and that he was “still suffering flashbacks” as a result of the incident. He claimed that he was “most relieved” that the Crown Prosecution Service had decided not to press charges.
Michael Thorpe of Stockport, who acted alongside Mr Jacob, was arrested and later charged with aggravated burglary. Mr. Thorpe has been accused of entering Mr Cooke's home armed with a knife. Mr. Thorpe is due to stand trial at Manchester Crown Court in December.
Duncan Lewis is able to represent clients who face criminal charges after acting in self-defence. The team of criminal law solicitors are able to defend an individual’s rights after facing an intrusion in their own home.