HULL, England, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- A British jury cleared a father who used a samurai sword to defend his family against intruders who broke into his home, court documents show.
David Fullard, 47, was prosecuted at Hull Crown Court for nearly cutting an ear off one of two men who barged their way into Fullard's home last March, ultimately being found not guilty of unlawful wounding, the Daily Mail reported Wednesday.
The two intruders, high on drugs and drink, received suspended prison sentences and 100 hours of unpaid community service.
Michael Severs, 22, and Michael Smith, 19, who both have convictions for violent offenses, barged into the home Fullard shared with his partner Sue Neal, 53, and his sons Danny, 14, and Tom, 17.
"They threatened to rape me, burn the house down, kill the kids and kill Dave," Sue said.
Fullard testified he felt he was in mortal danger.
"I thought he was going to kill me or put me in hospital," Fullard said. "I only struck one blow with the sword. If there had been a walking stick or an umbrella by the door I would have hit him with that.
"I never intended to hit anybody that day -- least of all with a sword. I don't relish what I did, but I had to defend Sue and the kids."
