A heroic homeowner rugby-tackled a ‘dangerous’ and violent burglar who was trying to steal his bike.

Brave Paul Bayley, 55, was punched, bitten and had his head smashed against the ground while trying to restrain thief Aaron McKenley-Reeves until the police arrived.

The intruder, who was trying to steal a £2,000 bike out from Mr Bayley’s garage in Poynton on December 13, last year, managed to fight his way free and escape.

But the next day McKenley-Reeves, 21, broke into a farm in Adlington and stole a Land Rover. Police used a helicopter and dogs to catch him.

At Chester Crown Court McKenley-Reeves, of Burton Road, Manchester, admitted two charges of burglary, assault and aggravated vehicle taking.

He was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order and a 12 month driving ban.

Speaking after the sentence, Mr Bayley said: “I was putting the Christmas decorations up and came down to the ladder to find him wheeling my bike out of the garage. I challenged him and he threw the bike at me and tried to run. I rugby tackled him out of instinct. There was a scuffle. I got battered, bitten and punched. He smashed my head against the drive. I was trying to restrain him and called for my daughter to call the police. He threatened to hurt me more if I didn’t let go.”

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Mr Bayley had his injuries treated in hospital.

He said: “My life has not been the same since that day. I have questioned whether I did the right thing confronting him when I found him in my garage. But I have concluded that I would do the same thing again. It is a £2,000 bike which I worked hard to pay for. Why should I give that up? My 15-year-old daughter has also been badly affected by the experience as she saw the scuffle and it has left her feeling unsafe. But at least we have some closure now he has been sentenced.

“The police have done a fantastic job and I would like to thank them.”

DC Shane Owens, from Macclesfield Police, said: “McKenley-Reeves was a dangerous individual and we had to pull out all the stops to catch him. That meant using the helicopter and police dogs to bring him in. He is now off the streets.

“I would like to comment officers on a fantastic team effort but also Mr Bayley who show incredible bravery in his efforts to stop McKenley-Reeves to protect his family and the wider public.”