HERO OF HOSTEL FIGHTS OFF THE 'KILLER'

Homeless Trevor, 59, protects residents from raider atttack

-  MATTHEW YOUNG, LUCY THORNTON and MARTIN FRICKER

A HOMELESS hero protected 50 vulnerable people staying in his hostel when a suspected triple killer tried to break in.

The man who brought terror to the streets of Nottingham is believed to have tried to force his way in through Trevor Proverb's window.

But the former forklift driver, 59, who has lung and mobility problems, was having none of it.

He told the Mirror how he punched the intruder in the face, sending him reeling backwards, before slamming his window shut.

The early-morning raider returned moments later to try to smash the glass, before walking off.

Trevor said: "He wasn't getting in my gaff if he had it could have got messy. Others could have died.

I could have been his next victim." Residents also praised a security guard at Seely Hirst House for his "calm" actions. He kept his distance and monitored the intruder, who is ACTION Trevor Proverb thought to have buzzed to try to get in. He asked the guard: "Is this a hospital?" But he was told "no, it's a hostel" - before the man walked away. Soon after, caretaker Ian Coates was stabbed to death in a nearby street.

The suspect fled in a stolen white van before ploughing into three people at a bus stop.

Trevor said it was lucky he was awake at the hostel. He moved in three months ago after returning from Europe, where he was working.