A CAT BURGLAR got more than he bargained for when he came face-to-face with a mean moggie with a killer streak.

The villain had tried to crawl through the window of an Eastleigh flat in the early hours.

But he caused quite a flap as he found himself fighting off the fierce feline who sank her jaws and claws into his bare arm.

Mitmo, the 12-year-old tortoise shell cat, has only three teeth and is almost blind in one eye.

But she had the petrified intruder in a vice-like grip and would not let him go.

He eventually managed to break free and fled nursing a battle-scarred arm.

Now Mitmo is being hailed as "Superpuss" by her owners Paul and Denise Carter who, with their 11-year-old daughter Kirstie, live three floors up in The Gardens estate.

The couple, both aged 33, are full of praise for the courageous cat who has all the cunning of a guard dog.

Denise told the Daily Echo how the drama unfolded in the early hours.

It happened at about 2am last Tuesday when she heard some rattling noises in the kitchen.

Mitmo was as usual curled up at the foot of the bed. When Denise pulled on her dressing gown to investigate, the faithful family cat also leapt into action.

Then she described the amazing kitchen scene as the burglar put his hand through the window.

Denise said: "Mitmo just launched herself at the window sill and grabbed hold of his arm. It was as if she had wings.

"He tried to shake her off but she would not let go. She was hissing and spitting as she dug her teeth and claws into his arm."

Denise did not put the light on so she did not see the burglar.

But she heard him yelling out a stream of obscenities and cries of "Get off" as the cat clung on.

He banged the cat against the wall as he eventually broke free.

Denise said: "Mitmo was limping a bit but after cuddles she was fine."

She is not too surprised by how Mitmo, who is a rescue cat, responded. "She has always been very territorial and protective," she said.

Paul has nicknamed Mitmo "Killer" and said: "I an thinking of getting her a nice stud collar."

The couple will make sure that their kitchen window is kept firmly shut in case any more unwanted visitors come scratching at their door.