‘Ordinary’ family man began living in tent in woods

THE Cardiff man suspected of driving a van into people near a London mosque was living in a tent in woodland near his home.

Darren Osborne, 47, has been named as the person arrested after a man drove a hire van into people near the mosque in Finsbury Park on Sunday night.

He has been described as an “ordinary” family man who lived in a semi-detached house in Glyn Rhosyn, Pentwyn, in east Cardiff, with his partner and four children.

Neighbours said Osborne and his partner had an on-off relationship and would argue in the street.

In recent months Osborne had been living in a tent in nearby woodland, but would regularly see his children.

One neighbour said Osborne was always being thrown out by his partner. She said: “He’s always arguing with her and shouting at her. They will stand in the street swearing and shouting at each other.”

Neighbours said they did not know what Osborne’s job was but that he changed cars frequently and would be seen working on them in the street.

One neighbour, who said she thought Osborne and his partner had been living on the estate for about 10 years, said: “Some people have been saying that he was mentally unwell but he never once came across like that.”

Neighbours said the last time they saw Osborne he was doing ordinary things – picking up his children from school on Friday and singing with them in the kitchen on Sunday afternoon.