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​Hither Green Pensioner Threatened By Intimidating Posts Online

​Hither Green Pensioner Threatened By Intimidating Posts Online

The pensioner who fatally stabbed burglar Henry Vincent when he broke into his home has reportedly become the victim of online intimidation

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Richard Osborn-Brooks, the 78-year-old pensioner who fatally stabbed burglar Henry Vincent when he broke into his home, has reportedly become the victim of intimidating and threatening posts online.

Vincent, 37, was laid to rest in a funeral that reportedly cost £100,000, where there was also a heavy police presence amid concerns that there could be problems.

According to the Daily Star, mourners hurled rocks, bottles and eggs at journalists covering the service, and within hours his supporters then began posting threatening rants on social media - telling Brooks that he will get his 'own karma'.

One woman apparently wrote on Facebook: "Richard (sic) a murder scumbag that deserves all he get."

Another post said: "Richard the murdering scum bag who (is) scared to go home.

"Poor murdering Richard shouldn't have took (sic) the law in he (sic) own hands and he wouldn't be scared right now would he if he at let the police deal with it Henry would be in prison and Richard would be living in he's (sic) own home peacefully.

"You knew what you was doing murderer you got your own karma to live in the same as us (sic)."

PA

During the attempted burglary on 4 April, Richard Osborn-Brooks is thought to have taken a screwdriver from Henry Vincent, fatally injuring him.

Osborn-Brooks was arrested on suspicion of murder but was released without charge afterwards.

Removal men were recently spotted at Osborn-Brooks' boarded-up home, building on the belief that he and wife Maureen would be unable to return to the address amid fear of reprisals from Vincent's supporters.

It is thought that they have instead been placed in police safe house for protection.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, told The Mirror: "We always hoped they would come back at some stage but this looks rather final to me.

"It's all very sad."

Another neighbour, who also wished to remain anonymous, said that the couple intended to sell their house because of fears that they will be targeted.

The neighbour said: "They are waiting for the dust to settle before they announce that publicly and put their house on the market.

"It's the fact that they could come back and that his wife is disabled. They could terrorise him. It's not safe.

"He's got what happened that night on his conscience for the rest of his life now. He's never going to forget that he's killed someone.

"He's not a violent person. He's a really nice run-of-the-mill guy."

PA

The street also became a flashpoint for conflict between relatives and well-wishers of Vincent and those who support Osborn-Brooks, with flowers and cards being placed and then taken away several times by supporters of both sides of the dispute.

Police were then forced to establish a permanent presence on the street to stop the tensions boiling over.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, crime, Funeral