A knife-wielding burglar got a shock when he attacked a pensioner in his home - a couple of right hooks to the face.

Gregory McCalium had not realised that 72-year-old victim Frank Corti was a retired boxer.

This police mugshot of 23-year-old McCalium, taken soon after he was arrested at Mr Corti's home, shows the facial injuries the OAP inflicted as he made a citizen's arrest.

Today, McCalium is beginning a four-and-a-half year prison sentence after a judge told him he 'got what he deserved.'

Reluctant hero: Frank Corti is pleased with the sentence and has insisted that 'most people would have acted the same way'

A court heard how Mr Corti - who served with the Royal Engineers in North Africa from 1956-58 - was at home with his wife Margaret at the time of the incident.

McCalium, a neighbour, smashed his way into the couple's home and lunged at Mr Corti with a blade.

The pensioner dodged the knife and punched the intruder twice in the face, leaving him with a black eye and swollen lip.