Police have arrested a pensioner on suspicion of murder after he fatally wounded an intruder during a suspected burglary at his home.
Two men entered the property in Further Green Road in Hither Green, south-east London, early on Wednesday morning.
One suspect, armed with a screwdriver, forced the 78-year-old into his kitchen after he discovered them, while his accomplice went upstairs, Scotland Yard said.
A struggle ensued, during which “one of the males found inside the property sustained a stab wound to the upper body,” according to the police.
Officers were called to reports of a burglary in progress around 12.45am and the London Ambulance Service took the wounded man to a central London hospital, where he died at 3.37am.
The police were unable to confirm whether the suspect had been stabbed with the screwdriver.
The pensioner suffered bruising to his arms and was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and further arrested on suspicion of murder, police said.
He remains in custody at a south London police station.
The dead suspect's next of kin have been informed and a formal identification is due to take place. A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course.
The Homicide and Major Crime Command is investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD214/4Apr. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
