I think, it would require a reasonable threat to his life to justify the kill - depending on the details of what happened, I do believe that this should be illegal. Not a murder charge, but a charge nonetheless - perhaps a fine would do. A burglar is highly unlikely to attempt to kill/physically harm a cooperative victim, since that's not in his interest - if nothing more than as a security measure for the homeowner himself, engaging in fights against the thief should be discouraged.

Perhaps manslaughter

Excuse me, but if someone breaks into my home, why should I rely on what's supposedly in the criminal's interest and trust him to act rationally? The criminal is risking life and limb for the sake of stealing, at least; his actions already suggest to me that he has a poor grasp of what's in his interest, and rational action. He has further established that he's has no respect for me or my rights. His actions are careless, dangerous and malevolent. How can I trust such a person at that point -- and how can I risk my family's lives?

He was forced into the kitchen at screwdriver point, so for me thats basically false imprisonment, trespassing and breaking and entering. As the criminal was threating him with a screwdriver, the victim can lawfully kill the criminal if he felt his or some one elses life was in imminent danger. Of course its up to the defense to proof that and vice versa, but yeah i would be suprised if CPS pursue this case.

If you have family in the house, that's fundamentally a different question. However, what concerns just yourself - if you don't do anything, the chances are extremely slim that the thief will actively try to kill you (there are over 300k burglaries in the UK per year - less than a hundred result in a death), but *engaging* the thief will *assure* you a fight. How does that seem like a good idea?

Unless the laws that are applicable in this case have changed lately, it's got nothing to do with "these days". You'll always have cases that are in a grey area, in fact one of the most important duties of the justice system is to cover those grey area cases. If all cases were clear cut, black and white, trials wouldn't be a thing.

It's a toughie, considering the age of the man and if he was all by himself he might of been too weak or frightened to anything other than attack the burglar with a weapon. I think it was justified imprisonment is too far for this scenario in my opinion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43676359 well charges dropped. Common sense prevails

IMO if anyone tries to rob your home or your person (street theft) you should be allowed to kill them without question. They brought it on to themselves.

Well they have to arrest him so in the meantime they can verify his story?

If it comes out it was 100% a burglary and self defence he'll be alright.

Edit: And he was.