LONDON: An intruder who fell nine metres from the top-floor of a house after a row with the homeowner has died, police said on Thursday . Patrick Walsh, 56, woke to find the suspected burglar in his flat in Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester in the early hours of Monday.

The pair argued, and the intruder was later found unconscious outside the flat, Greater Manchester police said.

Walsh, who was arrested on suspicion of assault, was released on police bail pending further inquiries. The unnamed 43-year-old intruder later died in hospital.

The case is expected to revive arguments about the rights of householders to defend themselves against burglars.

Farmer Tony Martin was jailed for shooting dead a burglar in 1999.—Reuters