A PROPERTY manager who tackled a suspected burglar in his garden has been told he will not be prosecuted for injuring the man.

Tony Blackall was arrested after the incident in Broad Oak, near Canterbury, and kept in a police cell for 12 hours.

But he says the police decision not to charge him has not come as a great relief. He explained: "I am a very moral person and I think there is fundamentally something wrong with the system in this country. Although I have nothing against the individual officers who dealt with me, it is the procedures which need examining.

"I and my children were the victims and yet the suspected burglar was asked if he wanted to bring charges against me. I was not asked if I wanted to lodge a complaint against him.

"I would have happily defended my position in court. I believe there is a matter of principle at stake here - quite simply what is morally right or wrong."

Mr Blackall was asleep at home with his two children when bricks started crashing through the windows in the middle of the night. He heard ranting and shouting and went round the back of the property to creep up on the intruder who was in his conservatory kicking at his door.

He tackled the man who ended up unconscious after the two exchanged blows. While the intruder was taken to hospital, Mr Blackall was arrested and taken to Canterbury police station where he had to hand over his clothes and wear a paper suit.

His two boys, Aiden, 10 and Nathan, 9, were taken with him to the station where he was told they have to go into care if he could not find someone to look after them.

Mr Blackall, who is separated from his wife, was eventually allowed to leave at 2pm the following day.

A police spokesman said no case was being brought against Mr Blackall because the victim did not wish to support charges.