Appearances can often deceive, a fact that a hapless young burglar learnt when he crossed paths with 71-year-old Frank Corti.
The would-be thief, armed with a knife, targeted Corti’s house only to find himself ensnared in a situation he hadn’t bargained for. His erroneous assumptions about the seemingly harmless older man ended up offering him a reality check he won’t forget in a hurry.
Beneath the exterior of a septuagenarian, Corti harbored a history as an experienced boxer and a veteran from a branch of the British Army. Gregory McCalium, the young intruder, got an unexpected introduction to Corti’s skills when he was met with a couple of swift right hooks.
McCalium’s face bore the brutal evidence of Corti’s boxing background as he was left looking like he’d tangled with a meat grinder. Corti, showcasing commendable self-control and precision, then restrained the unsuccessful robber until law enforcement arrived.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the judge found it challenging to suppress a chuckle while sentencing the misguided McCalium to a solid 4.5 years.
The court noted, “The jury might well have concluded you got what you deserved when you entered that property and took a swipe at him with that weapon. The elderly and vulnerable people are entitled to demand the protection of courts from people like you who decide to take matters into your own hands and enter a property with a weapon.”
Apparently, a noisy dispute had been simmering between the two, stemming from McCalium’s disruptive party. Yes, you read that right – they were neighbors.
In his retelling of the encounter, Corti shared, “As I saw it, it was a matter of do or die so I let his wrists go. Fortunately, the element of surprise was with me, so I adjusted my position and hit him with my right hand. It was just below the eye. I did not knock him out, but he was stunned. I heard the knife drop. We grappled. I was trying to drag him out of the back door. We both fell to the floor. I had to subdue him by punching him, which I did not take a great deal of pleasure in.”
No matter where you reside on this globe, it’s safe to say – never underestimate a veteran!
Sources: Thegoptimes, Daily Mail