Knifeman attacked by Bill's best pal (From Daily Echo)

Knifeman attacked by Bill's best pal

12:33pm Thursday 26th November 2009 in True Crime Files

SHE was unwanted and unloved. But Bill Matthews gave her a home and Cindy repaid his master’s kindness by protecting him against a knife-wielding robber The 27-year-old transport company foreman was threatened as he supervised the loading and unloading of cauliflowers at his firm’s yard in Endle Street and Albert Road, Southampton, when a stranger lurking in a doorway approached and asked for a light for his cigarette.

“I thought at first he was a person working for me,” he said.

“I patted my pockets and found I had left my lighter and cigarettes on my desk. I told the man this and carried on walking. Then I felt him grab my arm and a knife was stuck in my sleeve.”

It was then that Cindy, no more than 10-inches high, bounded forward to come to his rescue, growling and then embedding her teeth in the assailant’s trouser leg.

“I shouted and she let go, otherwise I think she would have had him.”

The man, wearing a dark belted raincoat and long gauntlet gloves ran off after his abortive robbery bid in 1970.

Doubtless there was an extra bone for Cindy who was a cowed and timid dog when his three children bought her for 10s from a Park Gate shelter as a family pet.

“She’s a wonderful little dog and I wouldn’t swop her for anything.”

Now, she always accompanies her master when he does his night work.