A ONE-LEGGED burglar from Marlow whose false limb fell off as he tried to escape has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Keith Bryson, of Foxes Piece, was tackled by David and Heather Greenwood as he stole jewellery and coins worth £15,000.

Mr and Mrs Greenwood, of Sunnybank, Marlow, grappled with Bryson after they returned home and found him walking up their path.

During the scuffle, Bryson's leg come loose, leaving him stranded until the police arrived a few minutes later and arrested him.

The 56-year-old was sentenced at Reading Crown Court last week after being convicted of burglary and three charges of handling stolen goods.

Mrs Greenwood welcomed the verdict and hoped it would bring an end to their ordeal.

She said: "As far as we were concerned it was up to the court to decide and I think it's a fair sentence. We really want to put it all behind us now and get on with our lives."

And despite playing a key role in foiling the raid, a modest Mrs Greenwood denied either she or her husband had been brave.

She said: "I don't think we even thought about it at the time. When you see someone in your house you just react.

"I certainly wouldn't call us brave."

The incident happened when the Greenwoods had gone to visit friends on Tuesday, August 10, last year.

On returning home at around 5pm they realised they had been burgled.

It was after they phoned the police and while they were checking to see what had been stolen that Mr Greenwood spotted Bryson coming towards the house.

He was, in fact, returning having made several earlier trips taking precious items with him.

The couple have since recovered around £10,000 worth of the stolen goods, but are still missing several precious belongings.

Mrs Greenwood said she didn't expect to get them back, but praised police for the way they handled the case.

She added: "They kept us informed of events all the way through and treated the case quiet sensibly."