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I'm no hero, just a responsible citizen says 84-year-old who foiled robbery
Rashid Razaq14 Jan 2009
A PENSIONER hailed for unmasking a teenage robber wielding a sledgehammer today insisted that he was not a hero.
William Grove, 84, stepped in as two teenage thugs wearing balaclavas began smashing a jeweller's windows with sledgehammers in Richmond in October.
The war veteran approached the pair and removed one of their balaclavas. The mask later proved to be a vital piece of evidence for police to secure convictions.
The pair fled with two Rolex watches worth £10,000 as soon as they saw Mr Grove's bravery.
A 17-year-old boy, of Sydenham, was found guilty at Richmond youth court yesterday of burglary and will be sentenced at a later date.
A second 17-year-old was sentenced at the same court to six months for burglary after pleading guilty last month.
Today Mr Grove told how his time with RAF ground staff, from 1942 to 1946, both in Britain and India, gave him the skills to take one of the perpetrators by surprise.
The retired civil servant said he would do the same again in similar circumstances.
He said: "Heroes are people who jump into a river and save people from drowning. It is a word that is rather overworked. I acted as a responsible citizen.
"I just happened to be the nearest person and realised that the man nearest to me had got his hand through an aperture in the glass. I knew he wasn't in a position to carry out any violence."
Police say that without the DNA evidence taken from the balaclava which Mr Grove snatched, the two offenders would never have been caught.
Dc Patrick Flanagan, who worked on the case, said: "I, personally, see him as a hero and an outstanding individual. Without his assistance this case would not have been brought to fruition."
Reader views (6)
What a wonderful man
- Caitlin, London, 15/01/2009 04:06
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Sportsmen, politicians, risk-taking businessmen amongst others all have the subsequently devalued terms 'hero' & 'heroic' used to describe their efforts. Its nice to see someone come along that puts the words into their proper context.
The man had nothing to gain, and everything to lose (perhaps his life, for instance). He simply did what was right, BECAUSE it was right.
- Rogan, Irving, 14/01/2009 19:36
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A true hero is defined by there unwillingness to be recognised as one.
- Liberal Thinker, UK, 14/01/2009 14:14
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He's very, very lucky not to have been arrested for assault. The police go for the easy targets nowadays, as they are intimidated by teenagers.
- Neil, london uk,, 14/01/2009 11:14
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Surprised that the burglar didn't get let off as Mr Grove is obviously too honest a citizen and therefore the burglar couldn't get a fair trial.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 14/01/2009 10:48
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Careful William, I think you may soon get charged with assault.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 14/01/2009 10:46
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