Householder who killed intruder cleared

Vincent Cooke, 39, said he had been through a “living nightmare” after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) told him it was satisfied he had acted in self-defence.

Mr Cooke was marched upstairs at knifepoint during the incident at his home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, on 17 September. During a struggle, Raymond Jacob, 37, was stabbed and later died.

Mr Cooke was initially alone at home, but his wife and 12-year-old son returned in the later stages. They were unharmed.

Nafir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for the north west area, said he had acted in self-defence.

“At the time he was in fear for his own safety and the safety of his wife and son, who arrived at the house as the incident was happening. It is clear to me that Mr Cooke did what he honestly and instinctively believed was necessary on that day to protect himself, his home and his family from intruders.”

It has been a living nightmare for me. Vincent Cooke

Mr Cooke said: “I am most relieved that the CPS have decided not to charge me with any offence. It has been a living nightmare for me and I’m still suffering flashbacks of the incident. I hope to now be able to get on with my life but will never forget the day that I had to fight for my life.”

A 33-year-old man from Stockport is in custody charged with aggravated burglary in connection with the incident and is due to appear in court in December.

It is the third time in recent months in Greater Manchester that self-defence has been deemed acceptable after the deaths of suspected intruders.

Police ‘satisfied’

Chief Superintendent Rebekah Sutcliffe, of Greater Manchester Police, defenced the force’s handling of the case. “It was crucial that we conducted a thorough and open-minded investigation into the events,” she said. “I am satisfied that we provided the full facts of the case to the CPS to enable them to make an appropriate decision.”