A COURAGEOUS family whose quick-thinking actions put an opportunist burglar behind bars have collected an award for bravery.

Kevin Waddington crept into the York home of Julie, Glen and daughter Megan Broadway in September last year.

But the career criminal picked on the wrong house to burgle, as he was caught and trapped until officers arrived and arrested him.

Mrs Broadway said adrenalin kicked in when she was woken with a start during the 2am raid in her Orchard Close home, in Dringhouses, and saw the flickering light of a torch pass by her bedroom door.

“I heard a lot of noise and at first I thought it was two cats fighting, but then I saw a figure with a torch go past our bedroom door.

“The first thing that went through my mind was anger,” she said.

“I thought ‘this is my house, and there is someone here who shouldn’t be’.

“I followed him to our dining room, blocked the entrance, and asked what on earth he thought he was doing. I was trying to obstruct him from the door to the kitchen where the knives are.

“He pushed me against the door – he was a big lad, but I own a gym and see built-up men all the time, so it didn’t faze me – so I pushed him back and he fell to the floor.

“I then grabbed the phone and dialled 999 and then shouted to my husband.”

The burglar then pushed Mrs Broadway out of the way and tried to climb out of a window, but Mr Broadway pulled him back by the legs and rugby tackled him to the floor.

He got Waddington in a headlock, but when the burglar cried out that he could not breathe Mr Broadway relaxed his grip.

Waddington then reached for a chiropody knife on a table nearby.

But Megan swung an umbrella at him, knocking him to the floor.

Mr Broadway then sat on him until the police arrived.

“The officers were brilliant – and didn’t seem fazed at all that my husband was holding this man down stark naked,” said Mrs Broadway.

Their actions won the admiration of officers and on Tuesday the Broadway family each collected the Area Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation at the annual police awards ceremony, held at the city’s Guildhall.

Handing out the award, Superintendent Lisa Winward said: “I am delighted to offer our sincere appreciation to the Broadway family.

“You are all incredibly brave, and North Yorkshire Police cannot thank you enough for preventing other innocent families suffering from offences of burglary.”

Waddington is currently serving a four-year jail term.


Council lawyer’s work recognised

A SENIOR City of York council lawyer has been honoured with a police commendation for her work to tackle antisocial behaviour in the city.

Principal housing lawyer Rachel Barker, of the council’s legal services department, was awarded the Area Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation at the Guildhall by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Brian Watson.

Her work involves tackling nuisance and antisocial behaviour in council-owned and private properties.

Rachel works closely with the Safer Neighbourhoods Police team, the Safer York Partnership and the partnership’s antisocial behaviour co-ordinator, Amy Fenwick, who was also honoured with the Area Commander’s Certificate of Merit.

Rachel said: “This award is tremendous recognition of the work we at City of York Council are doing to make York a safer and even better place to live.

“This award recognises the impact of partnership working with North Yorkshire Police, Safer York Partnership and other agencies in the area.

“This is a very proud moment.”