Ref. 28494-27Newsagent is full of praise for brave butcher neighbour who rescued her from a terrifying ordeal at the hands of a thief.

BRAVE butcher Phil McDonough saved Kathy McGuire's bacon when she was held hostage in her newsagents.

Mr McDonough, 21, came to Mrs McGuire's rescue at Havelock News, in Havelock Street, after a masked intruder tried to raid her safe.

Mr McDonough, who works at Mike McGuire's Butchers, gave chase and retrieved Mrs McGuire's handbag, which the thief had grabbed before making his escape.

The butchers used to be run by Mrs McGuire's husband, Mike, who died two years ago.

Mrs McGuire, 53, said: "It was pretty frightening. But I don't take thieves lightly, so he wasn't having my safe.

"Thanks to Phil, he didn't get my handbag either."

Her ordeal began on New Year's Eve as she was locking up at about 4.45pm. A man grabbed Mrs McGuire and entered the back of the shop.

She said: "He locked the door behind him and demanded to be shown the safe. He kept saying 'give me the money'. But I wasn't giving him anything."

After the intruder had ransacked the stock room looking for money, Mrs McGuire duped him, telling him the money was in the shop. As he led her into the shop, she escaped and sounded a panic alarm.

She also banged on the front window, hoping to catch someone's attention.

Mrs McGuire said: "I thought it was a lost cause because everywhere had closed early ready to celebrate New Year."

But Mr McDonough was still at work and noticed Mrs McGuire looking distressed.

Mr McDonough dashed round to the back of the shop, startling the intruder, who grabbed Mrs McGuire's handbag and ran off. Mr McDonough chased him up Commercial Road, catching him as he turned into Stainer Street.

Although he managed to retrieve the handbag, the thief escaped during the struggle.

Mrs McGuire said: "I was quite shaken up, but so pleased to get my handbag back. Phil is an old friend and now he's my hero. I cannot thank him enough and dread to think what could have happened if he didn't frighten the intruder."

Her husband first hired Mr McDonough as a trainee butcher, aged 15.

Mr McDonough said: "I will always look out for the McGuires because they gave me my first job. I am so relieved Kathy is all right and just pray the culprit is caught."

The man was white, in his mid-twenties and had a slight Birmingham accent.

His face was masked by a grey scarf and dark woollen hat and he was wearing dark trousers, a dark knee-length coat and black trainers with white stripes.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "Mrs McGuire was very shaken by the experience and Mr McDonough acted with great presence of mind.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at that time on New Year's Eve to get in touch."

Anyone with information should contact PC Rachel Brinn on 01793 528111.

Victoria Tagg