Scanning practice

12.6.1. Read the questions. Be sure you've got them well in mind.

1. Why did Mr. Newbery shoot?

2. What was the judgement?

3. What did the judgement cause?

4. Was Mr. Newbery right, trying to defend himself?

12.6.2. Start scanning the text. Don't fail to note your time.

82-year-old man who shot burglar must pay him $ 4000

An 82-year-old man who shot a burglar who was trying to break into his allotment shed was ordered to pay him $ 4000 damages yesterday. Ted Newberey had been sleeping in a shed to try to stop vandals destroying his allotment. He fired through a hole in the door when he heard voices outside. Mark Revill, 28, was hit in the chest and arm by 50 shotgun pellets as he and another man tried to smash their way into the shed.

They had gone there to steal, knowing that the pensioner had a television set and a washing machine in the shed.

Mr Newbery had slept in the shed every night for four years because of vandalism, the court was told by the defense. That night, he heard a loud banging on the door and a voice saying: «If the old man's in there, we'll do him». He was absolutely terrified, and fired the gun in self-defense. As the result of the incident, Mr Revill lost two fingers, and has partially lost the use of one arm

Mr Justice Rougier ruled that Mr. Newbery had acted out of all proportion to the threat. He had not acted in panic, but had planned his response in advance, and it had been reckless to shoot the shotgun through a hole in the door, while not being able to see what he was shooting at. Mr Justice Rougier awarded Revill $4000 for his injuries and loss of earnings.

The judgement coursed an immediate public outcry. Tim Molloney the Mayor of Erewash, launched an appeal to raise money to pay Mr Newbery's bill, and started the fund with a contribution of $100. Since then, money has been pouring in from all over the country. A London restaurateur was one of the dozens to call «The Times» to express his anger over the affair. Husseyin Ozer, 42, said he would sell his Rolex watch to pay the award. «I'm outraged. The old saying that an Englishman's home is his castle doesn't seem to be true any more», he said.

(350 words)

12.6.3. Answer the questions in 12.6.1. (Books closed.)

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