OAP Richard Osborn-Brooks who ‘stabbed burglar to death’ at Hither Green home defending wife is bailed
FRIENDS and neighbours are outraged after a pensioner was arrested on suspicion of murdering a suspected burglar who broke into his home.
Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, who has since been bailed, was confronted by two intruders at his home while in bed with his wife in the early hours of yesterday.
One, armed with a screwdriver, forced him downstairs into the kitchen while his accomplice searched the house.
It is understood Mr Osborn-Brooks, who lives with his wife Maureen, 76, managed to overpower the man and stab him.
The raiders fled the £540,000 semi-detached house in Hither Green, South East London.
But the stabbed man, who was bleeding heavily, collapsed on the pavement in a nearby street.
THE COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE
AN emergency local neighbourhood watch meeting is due to be held tonight after the Hither Green incident.
Theresa Webb, 43, a consultant nutritional therapist who lives on South Park Crescent said the community fully supports the newly bailed Richard Osborn-Brooks.
She said: "We all support him, absolutely.
"It's a case of a person protecting their own property.
"We of course send our condolences to the family of the man who passed away, but he is defending his property.
"He has done nothing wrong. "
The 43-year-old added an emergency meeting of the neighbourhood watch group is being held tonight.
She said: "There is an emergency meeting tonight at the local church.
"We are very close-knit community, I have lived here for a long time and there are a lot of good people here.
"The incident has sent shockwaves through the community.
"We will do everything we can to try and further reduce incidents like this."
Another woman, who had a Neighbourhood Watch sticker on the front window of her home, said: "I feel so sorry for him and his wife.
"They were indoors minding their own business and their world has been turned upside down - that's it in a nutshell."
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "He's retired. A really a nice guy, keeps himself to himself."
Police were called at 12.45am yesterday and paramedics treated the stabbed man at the scene.
The 38-year-old died in hospital at 3.37am. His accomplice was last night still at large.
Mr Osborn-Brooks, who suffered bruising to his arm, was arrested by detectives on suspicion of GBH and murder.
Gordon Williams, 44, heard "moaning and groaning" before seeing the man on the ground, saying: "I had just gone to to bed and I heard moaning and groaning.
"I thought it was someone drunk but I managed to look out of the window."
He said that another man appeared to be trying to help the wounded man, but eventually drove off.
Mr Williams said he rushed out of his house to help, adding: "I just tried to reassure him.
"His T-shirt was covered in blood."
Yesterday a female relative of Mr Osborn-Brooks in Codsall, Staffs, was too upset to comment.
Police have since released an appeal for anyone with information to help find the outstanding suspect from the burglary.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, is leading the investigation and said: "I would like to speak with anyone who has information regarding the outstanding suspect from the burglary, who is believed to be a white male; he may have told someone what happened at the address.
"It is possible that he fled the scene in a vehicle, possibly a white van, leaving the scene in the direction of Further Green Road. Did you see this vehicle?
"Do you know where it went after this? I ask anyone to contact our incident room as soon as possible."
Anyone with information should contact the Incident Room on 020 8721 4205 or call 101 quoting reference CAD214/4Apr.
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