Row as crowds of relatives mark birthday of dead burglar
Around 20 women from the travelling community arrived at South Park Crescent in Hither Green to lay flowers close to the spot where Henry Vincent, 37, fell after being fatally injured in the home of 78-year-old Richard Osborn-Brooks.
Mr Osborn-Brooks was arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of Vincent on April 4 but was later told he would face no further action.
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Hide AdSince the incident, Vincent’s friends and family have sparked outrage among locals in the usually quiet south London neighbourhood by laying flowers and cards opposite the still boarded-up home of Mr Osborn-Brooks and his wife Maureen.
The tributes have repeatedly been torn down by neighbours and well-wishers angry that the career criminal is being remembered in such a way, only to spring up again within days.
On Saturday afternoon, a group of around 20 women who said they were relatives of Vincent, arrived in the street with flowers, cards, balloons and a banner to celebrate his birthday.
They were escorted by five police officers who tried to stop them stapling the banners and balloons to the garden fences of homeowners.
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Hide AdEventually the tributes were attached to the street sign itself and a lamppost.
A 37-year-old woman, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We’re here because it’s his birthday, we just want to lay flowers. We don’t want to cause any violence.”
She added: “We’re not all criminals. We don’t all do wrong.”
When asked how Vincent should be remembered, another woman said: “We all loved him.”
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Hide AdThe group refused to respond to reports that Vincent would be honoured with a £100,000 funeral, or that the cortege would pass by Mr Osborn-Brooks’ home.
Mr and Mrs Osborn-Brooks are reportedly living in a safe house and plan to sell their property.