Pensioner's bravery in robbery praised

One of his attackers was jailed for five years when he admitted to attempted robbery and possession of a firearm.

The pensioner, 70-year-old scrap dealer Robert Dennison was praised after Belfast Judge Frank Russell heard how he struck out when a revolver was pushed into his face by men who called at his home.

The Crown Counsel alleged that the attackers went to Mr Dennison’s house after seeing him with a roll of money at his scrap yard earlier that day.

Mr Dennison, who had arthritis in his hip, was watching televesion with his wife when he heard a knock at his door.

As he opened the door he was confronted by two armed and masked men, one of whom pushed a gun into his face.

Mr Dennison tried to unmask the men and when one of them pushed him backwards he struck out with his crutch.

He managed to get his way upstairs for his legally held shotgun.

The pair fled after hearing that Mr Dennison had a gun.

Before jailing one of the attackers, Judge Russell said: “I want to pay tribute to Mr Dennison, who although crippled and elderly, was able to beat off his attackers.”