"MO" RICHARDS USES AIKIDO TO DEFEND HERSELF

Grandma uses her Aikido skills to fend off and detain a burglar on Christmas Day, 2005.

Re-enacted with televisions Richard Hammond, Mo demonstrates her skills, live on ITV.

Co-Presenter, Mel Giedroyc, introduces Aikido Instructor, Adrian Tyndale.

(click on the above logo to see the intro-movie for the show)

PUB burglar was put in a headlock and pinned down — by a granny who is a martial arts expert. Feisty landlady Mo Richards, 58, grabbed the shocked raider, flung him on to a bed and held him until police arrived.

The 5ft 4in Aikido brown belt remembered her martial arts training from 30 years ago when she found the intruder under her daughter’s bed. He tried to flee, but mum-of-four Mo sat on him while her partner Len Cattley, 53, dialled 999.

Mo had heard a noise upstairs while playing cards with her family in her Southampton pub on Christmas night — the only night she takes off in the whole year. She said: “You remember all the moves when you need them. It’s like riding a bicycle. “But it’s sad that this bloke messed up the only evening when the pub is closed.” Len said: “She doesn’t take any rubbish from anyone.”

A 39-year-old man has appeared before Southampton magistrates charged with burglary.