A hero resident has been praised after he was punched in the face four times when he stopped a burglar from robbing his neighbour's house in Amersham.

Johnny Hanrahan, 18, of Coggeshall Road, Braintree, Essex, was caught after a neighbour heard an alarm from a property in Stubbs End Close last Saturday (February 17) at around 5.45pm and went to investigate.

The neighbour heard footsteps inside and managed to catch Hanrahan as he left the house and ran across the back garden to try and escape.

Hanrahan then punched the man in the face four times, causing bruising, and threatened him, saying he had a knife.

Police said no weapon was found on Hanrahan after he was arrested.

After managing to bring Hanrahan to the front of the property, the neighbour shouted for help and two other members of the public helped him detain the burglar before he was arrested.

He was charged and remanded in custody the following day, and has been convicted of burglary and assault after pleading guilty to one count of burglary and one count of assault by beating.

DC Stuart Cook, of the investigation hub for Chiltern and South Bucks, said: “Burglary causes great distress for victims and Thames Valley Police is committed to bringing all offenders to justice.

“We thank the neighbours for their bravery and quick response in apprehending this offender and recovering evidence in an adjoining road.

“They demonstrated amazing community spirit in their actions to assist police, giving little thought to their personal safety.”