Will Self tells court: Burglar bit my wife

Novelist Will Self told in court today how he fought a female burglar who had bitten his wife in a raid on their home.

Mr Self, 40, told jurors at Inner London Crown Court he heard a sound "of clattering" down the stairs while on the phone and heard his wife, columnist Deborah Orr, screaming as she struggled with hooded burglar Tania Chavex in the garden of their home in Stockwell.

The writer and co-panellist on TV comedy quiz show Shooting Stars with Ulrika Jonsson, said Chavez, 29, had tried to bite him too as he attempted to restrain her after Ms Orr had chased the intruder out of their house and detained her.

Mr Self said he grabbed and held on to Chavez.

Ms Orr said: "I think what everybody was trying to do was to get her to stop fighting and restrain her and recognise the game was up."

During the incident Ms Orr broke free and called police.

Chavez, of no fixed address, denies burglary and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on 17 December.

The trial continues.