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A BRITISH PENSIONER who was arrested after an intruder was stabbed in his home will face no further action, the Metropolitan Police says.
The man, named as Richard Osborn-Brooks, was arrested earlier this week.
Officers detained the 78-year-old homeowner after responding to his call reporting a burglary in progress in the early hours of this morning and finding Henry Vincent, aged 38, with a stab wound nearby, police said.
One suspect, armed with a screwdriver, forced the elderly man into his kitchen when he discovered them inside his home in the Hither Green area, while the other suspect went upstairs, the force added.
A struggle ensued between the homeowner and one of the men.
“The man, aged 38, sustained a stab wound to the upper body,” a police statement said.
Tonight the Met Police confirmed Osborn-Brooks will not face criminal proceedings, following consultation between the Met and Crown Prosecution Service. Officers have explained the decision to Henry Vincent’s family.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said:
“This is a tragic case for all of those involved. As expected with any incident where someone has lost their life, my officers carried out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the death.
“We have approached the CPS for early investigative advice, as required under the guidance. We have received and considered that advice, and, at present – on the evidence available – we will not seek a charging decision. Therefore, no further action will be taken against the man.
“Whilst there might be various forms of debate about which processes should be used in cases such as this, it was important that the resident was interviewed by officers under the appropriate legislation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act; not only for the integrity of our investigation but also so that his personal and legal rights were protected.
“There will be an inquest in due course which will further review the circumstances into Mr Vincent’s death in a public forum.”
Neighbours said the area had seen a recent spate of burglaries, and the homeowner had been retired for “many years”.
The second suspect in the burglary fled the scene prior to police arrival and remains at large.
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Common sense prevails.
@Jamie McCormack: Took the words out of my mouth
@Jamie McCormack: great news. Right decision
@Jamie McCormack: he should get a medal
This is not a tragic case for all involved, only for the pensioner who had his personal space invaded. Good riddance to the slimy intruder. May he not be only one to follow such a fate!
@Psyarron: Common sense prevails.
@Psyarron: imagine you saw this intruder 24 years ago in a playground as an innocent child, and somebody told you that many years later he would be a criminal and get stabbed to death while he attempted and armed robbery of an elderly man. Of course it’s tragic.
@Michael Herron: I bet people said that about Hitler .
@Michael Herron: The burglar was only trying to look after his family .
He had limited opportunities , he was discriminated against , he grew up on the mean streets and did his best , I,m talking about the pensioner , not the burglar , F him .
@Nek nedyah: yea probably, but if you follow the thread far enough you’ll there’s no contradiction.
@Michael Herron: I think I understand what you’re saying .
But at some point we have to have a belief system which prevents the mentality of the powerful taking from the weak .
Otherwise , I could try source a gun and just rob people to make a living . We have to have morals , they don’t have to be religious .
@Nek nedyah: I don’t think that has much to do with what I said. It’s certainly easier and more satisfying to just say f him he had it coming and leave it at that but to say there is no tragedy in it is wrong imo.
@Michael Herron: there is no tragedy. Vermin filth was disposed of and won’t be making anyone else’s life a misery.
@Ronan Sexton: wow, never looked at it like that, thanks
@Michael Herron: if someone was raping and murdering your child and you had to kill them to stop them, would you call that a tragedy? If yes, I feel sorry for you. If no, I agree and we’re just arguing over gradations of evil.
@Rob Coins: ffs he simply means it’s a tradegy that person’s life ended up that way. It’s not hard to understand. Imagine if your precious child ended up leaving a life like that. Yes the criminal got what he deserved but we shouldn’t be happy about it.
@Psyarron: yes what all the good things Hitler did.
@Psyarron: this man was old school.78 years old not afraid of nobody.everybody needs to take note and learn from there elders .siri won’t save you,we need to think on our feet more often.fairplay to him.he is the victim and now he has to live the rest of his life knowing he killed a man.cant imagine that’s easy to live with ,even if it’s justified.
Everyone should have the right to defend their home through any means necessary. It is the one place we should all be able to feel safe. Breaking into someone’s home should be a mandatory minimum of ten years.
@Seán Ó Briain: Agreed. Let’s hope the police provide this man some protection from the “victims” buddies. Especially after all the publicity he has gotten, thanks to them.
@A Piece of Chalk: I can’t believe you are blaming the police.
Irish judges take note. This is how the law should treat victims of crime, the scales of justice tipping in their favour and not the other way around due to a sob story about a broken home, a drug addiction and a career criminal with 80 previous convictions.
@Sean @114: not sure how you’re comparing those …
@John M: He isn’t, you dingbat. He’s comparing the overriding leniency of our own justice system to this singular actual dishing-out of justice.
@Conor Craddock: Dingbat , love it .
Thank God he wion`t be charged, it would have been a miscarriage of justice to charge him with murder, when all he was doing was protecting himself from an armed intruder in his home.
The right decision, a 78 year old man protecting his own life and his family, no contest.
The man surely felt in fear of his life. 78 years old in your own home and being terrorised like that. They messed with the wrong dude, more power to him.
@Jamie McCormack: Woken from your bed while sleeping next to your wife (of who knows how many years) taken downstairs to the kitchen while the other guy goes upstairs to where your wife is .
The burglars family should be glad he was found in one piece .
@Nek nedyah: No winners here. This could be a story from Ireland. Burglary is rampant, and these lads have no fear of the courts. They should fear a person’s right to defend their home.
@Jamie McCormack: Yep it is rampant and brazen .
There should be a special charge (maybe there is) of invading a home while occupied , which would carry a mandatory 10-15 years without parole , tack on say , 5 years for aggravating factors .
Locked up for 20 years should be long enough for the pensioners to live out their life in peace , and if the offender is not rehabilated , sue me .
@Nek nedyah: lads, if we were giving burglars 15 years the members of our legal professions would be cueing up at the soup kitchens! Next time you see a case reporting the number of previous convictions think about the legal fees for all of those cases! Mercs, BMWs and 5 bedroom homes in leafy suburbs dont just pay for themselves you know!
@Nek nedyah: just in relation to your comment about a special charge in cases like this Ken, the charges for these men would be aggravated burglary which does carry a substantially heavier sentence than standard burglary. That being said of course you are correct in that the actual sentences doled out to people convicted of this are rarely even in the ballpark of what is deserved. The laws and sentences are there alright. No need for new legislation. There is a need for the sentences that are there already to be applied. It is particularly gut wrenching when you hear of elderly people being terrorised in their homes. I’d imagine most never fully get over that kind of experience. Instead of looking at the criminals lives they should look at the victims life and sentence accordingly.
It’s a pity the other intruder wasn’t slaughtered too
Seems reasonable you have a right to use lethal force if an intruder ignores warning to leave…..Think that is situation under Irish law…..
@pc_comments: First case of murder being defended under the new law was a few weeks ago where a young fella in Finglas put the garden shears through the intruder.
@Pat Bateman: From my recollection of that case , the fact that he had no means of escape helped his cause .
@Nek nedyah: Defense and Dwelling Act 2011, was basically as a result of Padraic Nally shooting a member of an ethnic minority after repeated break ins. The law previously meant you had to retreat in your house, now it allows for ‘reasonable force’.
@Pat Bateman: that’s correct and what background was the intruder from I’m sure you’ll figure it out good riddance to him
@Scorpionvenomm: Same background as the one Nally filled with lead
@Pat Bateman: yup you’re spot on.
@Scorpionvenomm: A bit ironic that the dwelling was a caravan , which gave the occupant no means of escape .
The deceased was a career criminal who specialized in targeting the elderly.
‘ An OAP a day will keep your bank balance at bay’ his motto.
The circumstances surrounding a killing determine whether it is criminal. This was a justifiable act of homicide.
@Sebastian Wilson: I think this is the first time I’ve agreed with you sir
@Sebastian Wilson: We have our own career criminals who prey on the elderly and isolated .
We could do with a few of our own headlines about justifiable homicide .
Lowest of the low , attacking isolated elderly people .
Great news
‘Iv been reading the Journal story’s everyday for a year or so now & this will be my 1st ever comment to make & I will say it like this…..
‘I am my kids hero everyday & everyday my kids are mine …
‘but today this man is my hero & today Sir I salute you’…
‘Let this story strike fear into the bountiful scmbags that roam are country terrorizing fear into good hardworking people …
I’m glad he’s dead & will sleep a little more soundly tonight knowing that this scmbag is no more ….
Mark
@Rosie O’Boyle:
Rosie or Mark
@Rosie O’Boyle: I whole heartedly agree with the point you’re trying to make. 100%.
@courageous: Rosie on Friday and Saturday nights. Mark the rest of the week.
Happy days.
Don’t know whether he would have faced a Judge or Jury, but I couldn’t imagine any Jury convicting him regardless of the evidence presented in court!
@Joe L: The law is a strange thing , a judge can direct a jury to give a verdict on points of law .
He’ll never have to buy another pint again. About time the law started to favour the victim rather than the criminal.
Proper order
Great. And they should throw in couple grand considering he saved exchequer quite a bit of money on free legal aid and prison stay expenses. Not to mention that it is “highly likely” burglar would re-offend few more times given a chance.
It’s a good decision for this man and the outcome was good for him but people should not put there lives in danger by confronting any one that is thieving in your home, please lock yourself into a room and contact the Garda, fine if your big young and strong but most elderly people protect yourself and don’t confront the thieves.
@courageous: I think you have to put yourself in his shoes , he was confronted by two burglars , he found himself in a one on one position , his wife was in danger from the second intruder , he had a moment to think , should i call an ambulance when these guys leave , how can I comfort my wife and explain to my children that I did nothing to protect my wife from being attacked (they were separated for a reason) .
But instead of waiting for the chance to call the police , his fight mode kicked in . Like i said earlier , the family of the deceased are lucky his body is still in one piece .
@Nek nedyah:
Thanks but I am happy enough in my own shoes
@courageous: Fair enough . But as the saying goes , walk a mile in a Man’s shoes , that way you’ll be a mile away , and he’ll have no shoes .
He should get an apology for letting him even think he could face charges
Take note British burglars. You might pay with your life.
@Emachine: Or they might take note and start arming themselves ready for a fight/struggle.I think this is a brilliant decision as I think anyone who enters a premises illegally should have their rights ended at the door/window they enter, however reporting on these cases could result in more aggravated burglaries.
Tragedy for the dead man and his family, but totally correct decision.
@Deaglan Macgiollaphadraig: just desserts for the dead man really. If he cared about his family he probably wouldn’t be out robbing pensioners in the first place, so they’re probably better off without him too..
The Journal s
@Sean Higgins: I will even finish that comment, the Journal seem to have a random policy these days of which articles you can comment on. Some articles with no legal restrictions seem to be out of bounds. Seems like censorship to me………..
@Sean Higgins: yeah you’re not wrong there…
@Sean Higgins: Random might not be the right word .
@Nek nedyah: I meant correct , I shouldn’t use the word ‘right’ .
@Nek nedyah: you back tracked fairly quickly there..
@Sean Higgins:
Must be hellish for journos working for a publication where editorial policy is driven by fear of even the remotest possibility of litigation.
But there again what right have we to demand access to this platform to express our views with total abandonment?
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: I don’t want to piss the all powerful moderator off .
Using words like right can get you banned , I’m not up with technology and the internet , it costs me 5 quid to get a new sim card .
@Nek nedyah:
Lycamobile sim cards are free.
@Sebastian Wilson: Thanks .
Thank God for that
He should be protected by law and if required, he should be safe housed so the relatives of the people who tried to terrorize this poor man can’t try to terrorize him anymore…
In the past I have seriously considsred applying for a shotgun licence, precisely for this reason. If an intruder in my house came at me with a weapon I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot him
@Ewan O’Doherty: don’t apply, just get one. You can only be done for having an illeagal wapon, but you can not be donefor defending yourself at your home. A barrister who not win a case like that, should not be alowed to stand in court
Fantastic news
Cue the victims family suing this man for wrongful death…….somewhere in london a slimy barrister is rubbing his hands with glee thinking if all the legal aid money coming his way..
I wonder if the burglary rate in the area has dropped.
@Hugh Corcoran:
Well it has by minus one
0
Common sense prevails.
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