Row as crowds of relatives mark birthday of dead burglar

The row over tributes laid in memory of a burglar stabbed to death in an altercation during a botched raid on a pensioner's home has continued as crowds of relatives marked the dead man's birthday.

By The Newsroom
Sunday, 15th April 2018, 6:00 pm
Updated Sunday, 15th April 2018, 6:11 pm
Friends and relatives of Henry Vincent bring birthday tributes at the scene on South Park Crescent in Hither Green, London, following last week's incident where Vincent was fatally stabbed in botched burglary
Friends and relatives of Henry Vincent bring birthday tributes at the scene on South Park Crescent in Hither Green, London, following last week's incident where Vincent was fatally stabbed in botched burglary

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.

Since 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.

Friends and relatives of Henry Vincent bring birthday tributes at the scene on South Park Crescent in Hither Green, London, following last week's incident where Vincent was fatally stabbed in botched burglary at the home of Mr Osborn-Brooks. Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

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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.

Eventually the tributes were attached to the street sign itself and a lamppost.

Friends and relatives of Henry Vincent bring birthday tributes at the scene on South Park Crescent in Hither Green, London, following last week's incident where Vincent was fatally stabbed in botched burglary at the home of Mr Osborn-Brooks. Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

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.”

The 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.