Dead burglar’s dad is lord of £1.7m manor
‘Wife bought it from OAP for just £325,000’ Neighbours are ‘too scared’ to check on him
STABBED burglar Henry Vincent’s parents live in a £1.7million farm, allegedly signed over by a pensioner for a fraction of its value.
Vincent’s mother, Rosemary, 59, is said to have taken ownership of a Grade II listed manor house and 40 acres of land from retired farmer Dudley Wright, 72.
She allegedly paid just £325,000 for the historic property, despite estate agents valuing it at £1.7million.
Police yesterday confirmed they are not investigating the purchase, despite locals’ concern for “frail” Mr Wright.
He is now believed to be living in a mobile home on the estate.
Rosemary and her husband Henry Vincent Snr, 59, a criminal with a history of targeting the elderly, began living at Hollingbourne, Kent, with the pensioner around two years ago.
It is not known exactly how they came to move in but it coincided with roof repairs, said a neighbour.
“Mr Wright told the village he was having his roof repaired and there used to a big blue tarpaulin,” added the local. “That’s around the time the Vincents arrived.”
Neighbours say the pensioner has become a recluse. “I have not seen him for 18 months,” another neighbour added. “He used to be friendly and well-known. He VICTIM Mr Osborn-Brooks would always go to the local shop. I think the police should be investigating, we are all worried about Dudley.” Asked if anyone had been to check on him, the neighbour added: “I would think people are too scared to try.” Since the Vincents arrived, German Shepherd dogs have been spotted on the property. It is not known who is staying in the main house but the lights are on at night, according to locals. Mr Wright’s ex-wife Winifred, who was married to him for four years in the 1970s, was so worried she rang police. The local parish council also raised concerns.
But Kent Police said they visited “a resident” on April 11. A spokesman said: “The man was spoken to alone and confirmed he was safe and well. No offences were identified.”
The news comes as the Vincent family prepare for today’s lavish funeral of Henry Vincent Jnr, 37, who died in a botched raid in Hither Green, South East London, last month.
Locals were preparing to form a roadblock outside Richard Osborn-Brooks’ boarded-up home amid fears the cortege would drive past.
Police, however, said the procession would not come near the area. Vincent is expected to be buried near his family home in Orpington, Kent.