The 78-year-old man who reportedly stabbed a burglar to death who was trying to steal from his home faces no further action.
The man, who has since been named as Richard Osborn-Brooks, is believed to have confronted the burglars on Wednesday morning, at which point one of them armed with a screwdriver forced him into the kitchen, while the other went upstairs.
The apprehended trespasser, now named as Henry Vincent, a career burglar, was later found by paramedics collapsed in the road outside ‘covered in blood’. He was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead at 3:37am.
Now it has been reported that Osborn-Brooks will face no further action, reports the BBC.
Detectives investigating the case, believe there was a struggle in the kitchen which resulted in the burglar, aged 38, receiving a stab wound in the upper chest, reports The Mirror.
One witness claims he heard ‘moaning and groaning’ before a man, thought to be the burglar, collapsed to the ground. Another man, thought to be his accomplice, was seen trying to pick up the body and put it into a white van but was unsuccessful and fled the scene alone.
Brooks was later arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm which was quickly upgraded to murder before being dismissed.
Osborn-Brooks’ neighbour, Nick Myatt, explained that the suspect lives with his disabled wife who he looks after.
Myatt said:
I saw him a few times, he’s a lovely old man and he cares for his wife who I think has dementia or is disabled. He’s a nice man, nice to talk to.
He’s an old man – it’s a shame really. I hope the law sees sense and let’s him off. I don’t think it’s right.
I don’t know his name. I just hope he gets off. One of the police told me it’s definitely him that’s been arrested.
Another man who lives close-by also described Brooks as a ‘nice guy’.
He explained:
I have done some jobs for him. It’s definitely no 23. He’s retired, but a nice guy, keeps himself to himself.
Goes out shopping once a week and that’s about it.
He’s been retired all the time I’ve been here – about 20 years. Nice as pie that’s all I can tell you.
One man who lives nearby said that there had been a spate of burglaries in the area recently.
He explained:
I was burgled in the last couple of months.
I was renovating the house and they broke in and took a laptop. I know this has happened to others recently.
After the fatal stabbing, five forensic officers entered the house to gather evidence.
Following Osborn-Brooks arrest, there was a huge campaign to have him released without action as most believed he was simply protecting his home and his wife.
Now The Met has said Osborn-Brooks has been released and would face no action.
