Boffin’s wife gives thief a bopping

THE wife of Oldham-born scientist Professor Brian Cox has revealed how she fought off a burglar who broke into their London home.

Gia Milinovich said she used skills learned in boxing self-defence classes to punch the intruder after fearing for her life in the incident on May 22.

The 44 year old heard footsteps in her home and saw a man standing in her five-year-old son’s room shortly after 5am. Rather than wait for an attack, she rushed at the intruder and punched him hard, at which he ran out.

Police later arrested the man, who admitted breaking in and was later jailed for eight weeks.