A MAN has been arrested after he confronted a knife-wielding burglar who threatened him in his own home in the middle of the night.

Police were called to Thorrington Cross, Basildon, at 11.40pm on Friday after reports that a weapon-wielding burglar was inside a house.

He threatened the homeowner, who woke up to find the intruder inside his home. The thief then fled with a haul of clothing, cleaning products, electrical items and DVDs, before police arrived.

When officers searched the area, they found a 32-year-old man from Basildon in nearby Broadmayne.

He had serious facial injuries and was taken to hospital.

He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary but has not yet been dealt with as he is still receiving treatment.

A 40-year-old man from Basildon, understood to be the homeowner who confronted and injured the burglar, was arrested shortly before 9am on Saturday on suspicion of assault.

He has been bailed pending further inquiries until Tuesday, October 18.

Andrew Buxton, councillor for St Martins, said: “This is a dreadful incident. If someone comes into your home with a knife, you are going to want to defend yourself. The poor homeowner, it must have been really frightening.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating a burglary in Basildon where a man was threatened with a knife.

“It happened shortly before 11.40pm on Friday, August 5.

“Officers would like to speak to anyone who has any information about what happened to the man who was injured.”

Anybody with any information is asked to contact Det Con Jodie Kinsley at Basildon CID on Essex Police 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.