Martial arts guru defends neighbour from alleged home invasion

A man with a background in martial arts has bravely defended his neighbour from an alleged home invasion in Sydney's Inner West.

Kelly McInerney was inside her Canada Bay home when she spotted an allegedly intoxicated man jump into the backyard on Monday evening.

The man then allegedly broke the side gate, kicked in a door and burst into the family's lounge room.

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He was allegedly armed with a plank of wood.

"He charged down here and started smashing," McInerney told 9News.

The woman, her husband, her daughter and pet dog ran for help.

"The neighbour's daughter runs over and knocks on our door," neighbour John Totaro told 9News.

"I said, 'What's wrong, darling?' She said, 'Someone's broken into our house'."

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Another neighbour, Brian, who has a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu, heard the commotion and leapt into action.

"He jumped over from the fence, like a commando," Totaro said.

"He just became this completely different person," McInerney said.

Totaro said Brian went into the home, jumped on top of the man and wrestled him.

Asked if the man resisted after being grappled, Totaro said the alleged intruder "didn't want a bar of it".

Police arrived moments later, arresting a 37-year-old from Ireland.

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It's understood he had been playing golf at Massey Park Golf Club before making his way to Canada Bay.

He has been charged with aggravated breaking and entering.

McInerney said community spirit had never been stronger.

"Knock on a door and say, 'Hey, I need someone', and they were there, so that's beautiful.

"That's exactly what neighbourhoods should be about."