[23 AUG 00] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Emergency Op For Man Who Chased Intruders

A workman is fighting for his life after injuring himself while chasing off intruders from school grounds in Rugby yesterday evening.

The 45-year-old man was running after youths in the grounds of Bilton High School, Lawford Lane.

He was injured while he climbed over a wall and suffered life-threatening injuries caused by a piece of wire breaking off a fence causing a head injury.

Peter Anslow of Shelfield, Walsall, is detained in Walsgrave Hospital’s intensive care department, where his condition is said to be ‘seriously ill’ after undergoing emergency surgery.

Det Supt Steve Hussey of Warwickshire police said:

“We carried out initial inquiries at the scene and it is believed the man may have seen youths or children in the school grounds and went to investigate.

“In doing so, he has injured himself very seriously on a metal fence but we do not know the full circumstances of this incident at this time.

“We are keen to stress this is not a criminal investigation, and the young people who may have been in the school grounds are not in trouble.

“We are treating this as a tragic accident and we want to to speak to them about what happened, or anyone who may have seen them in the area.”

Anyone with information should call Rugby police on 01788 541111 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.