Michael Thorpe: Man Charged With Burglary In Stockport Stabbing Case

Man Charged After Fatal Burglary In Stockport

PRESS ASSOCIATION -- A man has been charged after a raid in which a burglar was stabbed to death by the householder.

Michael Anthony Thorpe, 33, of Outwood Road, Heald Green, Manchester, has been charged with aggravated burglary and will appear at Stockport Magistrates' Court.

He was arrested after two men forced their way into the home of Vincent Cooke on Saturday night in Bramhall, Stockport.

One of the intruders, Raymond Jacob, from Wythenshawe, south Manchester, suffered fatal stab wounds in the struggle.

Mr Cooke, 39, was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and is now on bail until next month.

Detectives investigating the stabbing say they must determine whether it was "a criminal act" or "self-defence".

Police said there will be "strong opinions" on the incident but their job was not to make "snap judgments" but to investigate thoroughly.

Mr Cooke was initially at home alone at the time of the incident, around 7.50pm on Saturday, but his wife Karen and their 12-year-old son returned during the incident. They escaped unharmed.

Police, along with paramedics, gave first aid to Mr Jacob, but he died shortly afterwards.

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