The incident took place in an estate in Crowthorne, Berks, which residents said had been plagued by problems with drunken, rowdy teenagers from outside the area who congregate at a nearby park.
Mr Philpott’s wife, Susanne, said she confronted the gang on Friday night after her husband’s van was damaged.
“It was all so very surreal and scary. You never expect this kind of violence to happen in your neighbourhood, let alone on your doorstep,” said Mrs Philpott, a training consultant.
“When the police arrived and arrested Colin, I was gobsmacked. It was heartbreaking to see him handcuffed and carted off like a common criminal – he is a hardworking, honest family man.
“Any action taken by my husband was as a result of a desire to protect his family and loved ones, and to defend his property.”
Mrs Philpott said her neighbourhood had recently experienced problems with drunken behaviour involving youths.
She said she and her son left their home after they heard a bang. She added: “We saw two young guys outside our house. When we saw a big dent in my husband’s van, Alex asked them if they had done it. They denied it and disappeared off around the corner.
“They returned 15 minutes later – with three others – and were all visibly drunk.
“When they started shouting outside the house, we came out again and this time I took a digital camera with me and told them that if they vandalised anything else, I’d take pictures as evidence.
“It was then that one particularly drunk and rowdy teenager threatened me. He said that if I took a picture, he would kill me and burn down my house.
“I was terrified by his words and when Alex tried to calm him down, the other four got worked up and the gang attacked him.
“He ended up on the ground with all five of those yobs on him, kicking him in the head and stomach.
“I was so frightened for him that I screamed for Colin, who until this point had been in bed. He came running out – still barefoot and half asleep – and saw the mess that Alex was in.
“In the blink of an eye, the lads attacked Colin and I saw one stumble into the road as Colin screamed for me to call the police and ambulance service.”
Mrs Philpott’s 25-year-old son was treated in hospital for a broken nose and concussion.
The 16-year-old boy who was stabbed five times in the chest was said to be in a stable condition at Royal Berkshire Hospital.
It was believed a letter opener may have been involved in the incident. Police arrested Mr Philpott, 57, who runs an escalator cleaning company, on suspicion of attempted murder. He was held in custody.
Article here. Five young, able-bodied attackers against a single 57-year old man defending himself and his stepson. Hard to imagine similar charges for a homeowner defending himself or his son in all but the most reprobate of American cities. So sad, these Brits, to have allowed their society's moral compass to go so awry.
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