‘Revenge’ threat for burglar killing
DETECTIVES issued a picture last night of the suspected accomplice of the burglar who died after a scuffle with battling pensioner Richard OsbornBrooks.
Officers said Billy Jeeves, 28, was wanted in connection with the raid in which Henry Vincent was fatally stabbed.
The police appeal came as Vincent’s associates said retired RAC office manager Mr OsbornBrooks would face reprisals.
Career criminal Vincent, 37, died after breaking into the home of Mr Osborn-Brooks, 78, and threatening him with a screwdriver. His accomplice fled the scene, leaving Vincent lying in the street. The serial burglar was taken to hospital but died from his wounds.
Police arrested Mr OsbornBrooks on suspicion of Vincent’s murder, but he was released following an outcry from politicians and the public.
He and his wife Maureen have yet to return to their home in Hither Green, south-east London. The house remains boarded up and friends and family of Vincent have created a shrine to his memory opposite the property.
Cherished
One traveller who knew Vincent said his family and friends “won’t rest” until they get revenge” for the killing of “one of their own”.
He said: “They won’t get over a death of one of their own and they won’t rest until they get their revenge against anyone who takes a cherished loved one.
“And when I say revenge, I mean they’ll go armed with whatever they’ve got – guns, knives, anything that they can lay their hands on.
“There is nothing that they won’t do to get their own back on this pensioner for taking Henry from them, even though he broke into the pensioner’s house armed with a screwdriver.”
Vincent came from a family of travellers based in Orpington, Kent, who have a long history of theft and dishonesty targeted at pensioners.
Dozens of flowers and messages were stacked on the pavement yesterday, near the spot where he collapsed. One, from Vincent’s daughter, said: “No matter what people say about you we know who you were,” and: “I love you Daddy.”
But residents said they are furious about the display. One said: “That should not be there, it is someone’s fence. It’s all a bit over the top. It’s out of order.
“The man should not have burgled the property in the first place,” he added.
Another said: “They have taken over the road but he can’t move back? Doesn’t seem fair.”
Neighbour Theresa Webb, 43, a consultant nutritional therapist, said: “It’s a great shame Richard and his wife might never move back to the area again.”
Another friend added: “Richard is handling the situation as well as can be expected but he’s understandably very concerned.
“He and Maureen feel they cannot return home and that’s very alarming for people their age.
“They don’t know if they will ever see their home again as the police are taking the threats against them very seriously.”
Suspected accomplice Jeeves had also been linked to an earlier raid with Vincent, in which a 79-year-old man was fleeced in Farningham, Kent.
Cyril Goodearl was distracted by a woman who was knocking at his front door. At the same time, the gang broke into his house and stole a jewellery box.
Scotland Yard said Jeeves, of no fixed address, had links to Swanley and Orpington, as well as Cambridge.
They also appealed for information about a Vauxhall Astra van registered GU52 AXT, which was found burned out in Orpington on Saturday night.
Mr Osborn-Brooks and his wife are believed to be under police guard and while he is “handling the situation well”, his wife is finding it “very tough”.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Billy Jeeves is being sought by police following the burglary, committed at an address in Hither Green.”