Machete gang flee house empty-handed after brothers fight back during robbery

A GANG wielding machetes got more than they bargained for when they barged into the home of two brothers.

Ronald and John Greenwood grappled with the crooks and forced them to flee empty-handed.

The pair were in their home in Newsome, Huddersfield, waiting for a takeaway when they heard a knock on the door and were greeted by the four armed thugs, who came charging in.

John was bludgeoned on the head with a machete and briefly knocked out, while another one of the raiders tried to stab Ronald, but the pair fought back and even managed to disarm one of them before seeing them off.

The incident happened as John, 60, a retired coalman, and former mill worker Ronald, 67, relaxed in the small home they share with John’s twin sister, Doreen.

Doreen was upstairs when the robbers barged in demanding jewellery and money.

Ronald said: “We just assumed it was the takeaway so we didn’t think twice about opening the door. As soon as we did, they all piled in. Two had knives and two had machetes.

“They were shouting at us to give them some jewellery and money. One of them was thrusting a knife at me, trying to stab me and I just moved out of the way. I grabbed his wrist and squeezed it so hard the knife fell out of his hand. One of the others was begging me not to hurt him.”

John said: “I just got stuck into them because they were trying to get into my house. I didn’t want them to get upstairs because my sister was there.”

One of the robbers hit him on the head with a machete and knocked him out for a minute.

The gang fled empty-handed after the raid at about 8.45pm on Tuesday. John was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where he received eight stitches for the wound to his head. Police are investigating.