A burglar chose the wrong guy when he picked on butcher Mr. Charles Ricketts.

He stabbed Mr. Ricketts in the hand after breaking into his cottage. But armed with a paring knife Mr. Ricketts fought back, and the burglar fled empty-handed and bleeding.

"He was lucky I didn't have my tools at home,'' the 33-year-old butcher joked yesterday.

Mr. Ricketts needed two stitches for his cut. But the would-be thief is believed to be nursing wounds to his neck and chest.

The battle was at about 3 a.m. yesterday, at Mr. Rickett's cottage in Morgan Road, Warwick.

He got back after drinking with friends and spotted the burglar. "I came home when he had just gotten in the house. He'd managed to find the one window that was unlocked.

"When I came to the front door I saw him through the window. I guess he heard me and he ran in the bathroom.

"Then he came back out and started to go towards the front door. "I said: `What the hell are you doing here?', and he said: `Cool man, cool. I'm just passing through.' "He wasn't excited or anything, he just wanted to get out.

"He picked up a leather pouch that usually has personal papers in it, and I went to take it off him. That's when we started scuffling.

"I had picked up a paring knife, because I didn't know if he was armed. That was the first thing in the kitchen.

"He punched me and then I got stabbed in the hand by something, I don't know what it was, so I took a couple of slashes at him. I'm pretty sure I wounded him.

"I booted him and he went out the front door. He bounded off the verandah and into the trees.

"We were both very lucky we came out of it the way we did, but I'm more interested in him getting nailed. If he's armed and breaking into places he could do someone some damage.

"I just picked up the wrong knife, that's all -- he was lucky I didn't have my tools at home.'' Bermudian Mr. Ricketts did not think he was a hero for tackling the burglar, who was the same size as him but more athletic. And he had no regrets about wounding him.

"I didn't do enough of it,'' said the Hamilton MarketPlace worker. "I was protecting me and what was mine.

"I think it'll be a while before he thinks about coming back down here.'' Central CID officers are looking for a man described as about 27, five foot seven, 175 pounds, with darkish skin. He was wearing a dark sweater, dark jeans and sneakers and was clean-shaven.

Despite Mr. Ricketts bravery Police spokesman spokesman P.c. Gary Venning warned people against tackling criminals.

"What we advise is that it's not a good idea to confront someone in a situation like this, because if they're armed the consequences could be quite serious.

"What we generally recommend is that you try to get a good look at the person and a get a good description, but stand out of the way and let them escape. In other words, don't trap them in a corner.

"The important thing is to keep a clear mind. Generally it's not a good idea to tackle someone, but it's a good idea to be as observant as possible.

"If you return home at any time and you know there's someone inside as in this case, we would recommend really that you don't enter, but try to inform Police from a neighbour's phone.

"If, on the other hand, you enter and discover someone when you go inside, then the advice about not trapping them in a corner would be more applicable.

"Sometimes it's difficult to hold back because you're angered by the intrusion of privacy, but safety must always be the prime consideration.'' Police are investigating another incident where would-be thieves were defeated by battling victims.

At Robinson's Marina in Somerset on Friday night, an attendant stepped out of the store and saw two masked men coming towards him, one armed with a machete and one with a stick.

He dashed back into the store, slammed the door and threw his weight against it, said Police.

He and another male worker managed to keep the door shut as the two raiders kicked and battered the door, trying to force their way in.

One of them broke panes in the door with his machete before running off with his accomplice.

Western CID officers want to talk to anyone who might have seen something around 8.30 p.m.