Who is Richard Osborn-Brooks, why was the OAP arrested and when did burglar Henry Vincent break into his Hither Green home?
The 78-year-old was released without charge after he confronted a pair of burglars at his South East London home, stabbing one to death
OAP Richard Osborn-Brooks was released without charge after confronting two burglars at his London home.
Here is all you need to know about the pensioner who was briefly at the centre of a national debate over the rights of homeowners.
Who is Richard Osborn-Brooks and where is he now?
Richard Osborn-Brooks is the pensioner who allegedly fought off burglars at his South East London home on April 4, 2018.
The former RAC man, 78, lived with 76-year-old wife Maureen in South Park Crescent, Hither Green.
In February 2019, it emerged he has been receiving threats from a traveller gang who want to "even the score".
Criminal associates of traveller Vincent are now "hell bent" on getting revenge for the traveller's death, it was reported.
The couple have been unable to return to their home.
In April 2018 Osborn-Brooks is said to have woken at about 12.30am to find two men rummaging around his 1920s terraced home.
The pensioner, who received death threats, allegedly stabbed one of the burglars with a screwdriver in a desperate bid to protect his home.
What happened to the shrine built to remember Henry Vincent?
The shrine to stabbed burglar Henry Vincent was torn down twice.
A hooded man, who claimed to be from Hammersmith, West London, blasted the floral tributes as “disrespectful”.
One message addressed to "Henry Boy" said: "We love you so much and think the world of you. Miss you so much doesn't seem real."
One of the balloons read "love you" while another read "super daddy" and a third said "You'll be missed."
Why was the pensioner arrested?
The suspected crook fled the scene but collapsed in the street and later died of the stab wound to the upper body.
Mr Osborn-Brooks was then arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed on April 5 pending further enquiries.
He was then cleared of all charges and faced no further action.
However, it has been reported the OAP is in hiding with his wife fearing reprisals from friends of the burglar he killed.
But kind-hearted neighbours set up an appeal fund for the pensioner which raised £9,987.
Who was Henry Vincent killed in Hither Green?
Henry Vincent, a father-of-four, had reportedly targeted a number of pensioners during his long criminal career.
The 37-year-old was said to be well known for carrying a screwdriver as a weapon.
He was revealed to have been once on a “most wanted” list and had previously been jailed for a total of 10 years.
Vincent had been part of a gang known to escort victims to banks to withdraw the cash to pay for work.
In 2009, Vincent was jailed for six years after charging an OAP £72,000 to replace a single tile on his roof.
Vincent, described in court as a drug addict, told the pensioner his roof joists were rotten and showed him maggots as proof.
Police named Vincent in appeals about a burglary in October 2013 and a fraud in November 2016.
In November 2017, he was sought over a distraction burglary in Farningham, Kent, when a 70-year-old man’s jewellery was stolen.
The victim was tricked into letting a woman, who claimed to have been assaulted, into his home.
A stolen white van pulled up outside, its horn was sounded and she left.
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Seven relatives from Vincent’s large traveller family were jailed in October 2003 after conning pensioners out of £450,000.
He passed away in Hither Green, on April 4, after a scuffle between him and Richard Osborn-Brooks.
According to reports, at the time of the incident, Vincent was a wanted man, after a distraction burglary in Kent last November.
His funeral was on May 3, 2018.
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