On Friday, Richard Osborn-Brooks was officially told he won't face charges related to defending his home during a break-in. While you might think that he has been able to breathe a sigh of relief following the news, latest reports suggest the pensioner is actually too scared to return home.
Not only has he bordered up the windows of his Hither Green home in London but CCTV cameras have also been installed in case of any reprisal attacks.
Two men broke into Mr Osborn-Brooks' home this week, but the 78-year-old fought back. One of the burglars, Henry Vincent, was stabbed in the incident and later died. His fellow thief is still on the run.
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The pensioner was arrested on suspicion of murder but Scotland Yard announced on Friday that no further action would be taken.
"The 78-year-old man was told that, following consultation between the Met and Crown Prosecution Service, no action will be taken," said a statement from the Met Office.
"Officers have also spoken with the family of Henry Vincent who died following the stabbing.
"They have been informed of the decision and the reasons for it have been explained to them."
But days on from the incident and one of Richard's friends has revealed to the Sun, that the pensioner and his wife are no longer living at the house out of safety concerns.
"Richard doesn't want to go home," he told the newspaper. "He's relieved to be in the clear but is not celebrating. He's genuinely sorry about what happened to Vincent but felt he had no choice.
"The police are still very concerned for him and his wife who has arthritis."
A GoFundMe page set up raised over £7,000 ($9,860) to help the family with any legal costs.
It's been revealed that Vincent had a long criminal past, including a six-year sentence after conning an 80-year-old widower out of £72,000 ($101,400) to replace a single roof tile, which would have cost around £50 ($70). He also targeted a 90-year-old woman and stole First World War medals from another property in 2007.
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There's been mixed reaction to flowers and a card being left at the scene, 200 metres from Osborn-Brooks' home, where Vincent was found by paramedics.
The card reportedly said that Vincent was 'loved and cared for by many' as well as 'May God bless you and give you peace in Heaven... truly sadly missed'.
Hopefully Richard and his wife get all the support they need to crack on with life and get everything back to normal.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UK News, News, Pensioner, UK, London