We must stop sitting on the fence on crime and come down hard on criminals
nothing
has angered me more this week than the ugly scenes in a leafy London suburb. What is happening in Hither Green leaves me red with rage and wondering if our justice system has gone completely bonkers.
I’m sure you know the story about the accidental stabbing – in self-defence – of a violent burglar by 78-year OAP Richard Osborn-brooks.
Mr Brooks, looking after his wife who suffers from dementia, disturbed Henry Vincent, armed with a screwdriver and with an accomplice, trying to burgle his property.
A violent struggle ensued which resulted in the injuries to Vincent who, as his cowardly partner ran off, collapsed in the street and later died in hospital.
Vincent had specialised in preying upon the old, sick and vulnerable members of the community for almost 20 years.
But what comes next, you really couldn’t make up. Poor Mr Brooks and his wife were forced to move out of their home after receiving sinister threats.
Then, floral “tributes” to Vincent were insensitively hung from a neighbour’s fence, without their permission, directly opposite the Brooks’ home.
Soon, the flowers were torn down by locals, angered at this ridiculous display for a known criminal.
More went up, and with the media now watching, torn down again and so on.