Former MP Richard Taylor scares off burglar using secateurs

The 80-year-old was alone in his Kidderminster home recuperating from a hip replacement operation when the man tried to force his way inside.

It is believed the man forced panels on Dr Taylor's garden shed to retrieve the secateurs left propped up inside to use in the burglary bid.

The former Wyre Forest MP was inside watching a film in his lounge when he heard banging from coming from the rear door to his house.

As Dr Taylor approached the back door he saw the man heaving the secateurs against the door creating loud bangs as he brought them down.

Several dents were left in the door as the man tried to break in.

But when Dr Taylor caught sight of the intruder, the man, believed to be aged in his 30s, fled the scene, jumping the garden fence in his haste to get away.

The former consultant today spoke of his anger at the attempted break-in, which happened at 2.30pm on September 11, as police launched an investigation.

Dr Taylor, who was independent member of parliament for Wyre Forest between 2001 and 2010, said: "It made me more angry than frightened or scared to have this happen."

"I was just sitting watching a film which was quite loud in any case but over the top I heard the banging and when I got up I saw him trying to break down the door," said Dr Taylor who is co-leader of the National Health Action Party.

"I was amazed when I saw what he was doing. When he saw me, he then scarpered and leapt over the fence and disappeared.

"He had broken into the garden shed by removing panels and was bashing at the door with shears.

"I was recovering from a hip replacement operation I had on August 27 and the absolutely superb treatment I had at Kidderminster Hospital.

"We will need to replace the back door and I have reported the matter to the police."

West Mercia Police today confirmed officers were investigating and urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call police on 101.