YOUR SHOUT
Only room for a tiny fraction of the huge response to last week’s comments on the Henry Vincent burglary case:
Fiona, Henry Vincent was a career criminal who preyed on vulnerable people. Going into someone’s home armed with a screwdriver proved he was prepared to use it as a weapon. For his family to portray him as a loving father who’d do anything for them, thieving included, proves they’re as bad as him.
I spent over 30 years in the prison service dealing with scum like him – the thing they all have in common is they see everyone else as fair game and reckon there’s nothing wrong in preying on the most vulnerable. Mr S Richardson, via email
Fiona, I used to hold good stock by your column and the good sense you write, but I’m afraid you’re talking out the back of your neck re the Vincent case. His death wasn’t due to murder or manslaughter – it was self defence.
Mr Osborn-Brooks was defending his disabled wife, his property and himself. Vincent was pure scum. I’m afraid you’re so out of tune with the British public on this. Gary, via email
Fiona, you say if Vincent had stood trial he would be in jail but alive. Yes, alive to serve a paltry few months maybe and then back out to rob again. I have always thought you were the voice of reason, but suggesting Mr Osborn-Brooks should face a criminal charge is way out of order.
I wonder if you’d had to use the knife you kept by your bed you’d want to face such charges for doing nothing but saving your property and maybe your life? Gwyn Jones, via email
FP: My goodness all! No way was I condoning what Vincent did and I certainly wasn’t suggesting Mr Osborn-Brooks should face charges. I was simply saying that householders need clarification as to whether it is now legally acceptable to kill someone who enters our homes uninvited.