Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Footage of criminal two days before death gives cops clue to missing accomplice
THE burglar killed by a raid victim is caught casing a joint just 36 hours before he met his death.
Exclusive CCTV shows Henry Vincent, 37, sizing up a property 12 miles from the London home of Richard Osborn-Brooks – the brave pensioner who tackled him.
The footage gives police vital clues in the hunt for an accomplice who fled after Vincent died from a stab wound.
A SHAKEN house owner last night told how he confronted “shifty” Henry Vincent less than 36 hours before the career crook was killed.
He revealed Vincent and an accomplice had pulled up at his secluded home on the pretence of wanting something from a skip.
The owner confronted Vincent and said he was stunned to find out days later that he had been killed while raiding the home of courageous Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78.
The man, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “I couldn’t believe it. I recognised him straight away and said to my wife ‘that’s the guy who was casing our house two days ago’.”
Police confirmed CCTV shows Vincent, 37, sneaking around the front of the property in leafy Farningham, Kent, before taking a good look up the side of the house.
Clear images are thought to be the last pictures of him before he targeted Mr Osborn-Brooks’ home nearby.
REGISTRATION
Scotland Yard detectives hunting Vincent’s pal over both raids were last night inspecting the CCTV.
It provides key evidence, showing the make, model and registration of the white van – believed to have also been used in the Osborn-Brooks raid.
The homeowner in Farningham told of the moment he came face-toface with Vincent last Monday.
The father of three said: “He and his accomplice pulled up at 5.15pm.
“It’s at the end of a long lane and there is no need for anyone to come down it unless they’re coming to see us. It’s quite unusual for anyone to come down unannounced.
“As soon as he arrived I could see on the CCTV that the guy was getting out of his car and was starting to walk up the drive, so I went straight towards the door to see what was going on and what he wanted.
“The dog started barking and going crazy as though she sensed something was amiss and I could see straight away that the guy looked very shifty.
“He was scanning the house side-to-side and seemed suspicious.
“When I opened the door he wouldn’t make eye contact with me and he kept looking around.
“Then he said something I couldn’t understand, so I asked him to repeat it and he said ‘I’ve just got a shed and I need something to attach it with to the van. Can I look in your skip for some rope?’
“I said there’s no rope in that skip, so no. He seemed agitated and was still looking side to side and then he spotted
some green plastic ties that had been cut off slabs we’d had delivered. He asked if he could have those. I didn’t want a confrontation so I told him ‘Yes’.
“I instantly regretted my decision because as he went down the side of the house I watched him on the cameras again and I could see he was now scanning the side of the house and looking all around.
“At that point I went out with the dog and he saw me watching him.
“He asked me ‘Can I have those rabbit runs?’ – to which I told him ‘No’.
“It was obvious he was casing the house, so as soon as he and his friend drove off my wife rang 101 and reported him. I wanted to make sure they had gone so I took the dog out for a walk and while I was walking in a field nearby I saw them stop near some building supplies in the garden of a house and then have a good look before driving off again.”
SUSPECTED
The owner lives just around the corner from a property burgled last November.
Retired engineer Cyril Goodearl, 78, lost a box full of sentimental valuables in that raid – which Vincent is suspected of. The man who captured Vincent on CCTV added: “It’s clear from the burglary on our neighbour that this guy knew our area. We were really worried they would come back that night and that evening my children found it hard to sleep.
“We moved everything from outside the house and I stayed up and kept checking the CCTV.
“We were on edge for the two days afterwards until we saw he had been killed. It’s just lucky it was a Bank Holiday and we were here.
“And we’re very fortunate, obviously, that I’m a strong guy and that we have
I’ve got a dog and even I felt threatened, so the pensioners must have been terrified
HOUSE OWNER ON ENCOUNTER WITH STABBED HOUSE RAIDER
a big dog and good CCTV. Not everyone has that and I feel sorry for the pensioner and any other elderly people targeted by these guys.
“I felt threatened coming face-to-face with him, so it must have been terrifying for them. Who knows what could have happened if we hadn’t been here in the house or if my wife had been here on her own. We keep saying ‘It could all have ended very differently for us’.”
Vincent lived in Orpington, Kent. He was already wanted over a previous burglary and he and his pal were back on the prowl in the early hours of Wednesday – targeting Mr OsbornBrooks. The pensioner and his disabled wife Maureen live in a £500,000 home in Hither Green, South East London – 12 miles from Farningham.
Maureen lay terrified during the burglary and unable to move due to arthritis. One raider was armed with a screwdriver and during a struggle Vincent suffered a stab wound.
He was found collapsed in the street and was pronounced dead in hospital at 3.37am. The accomplice fled.
Brave Mr Osborn-Brooks, who suffered bruising to his arms, was arrested on suspicion of murder. It triggered a public outcry and a national debate on residents’ rights to defend their homes.
The pensioner has since been told that no action will be taken following discussions between the Met Police and Crown Prosecution Service.
It is understood Mr Osborn-Brooks and his wife are now in police protection.
Two officers were yesterday guarding their house, which has had its downstairs windows boarded up. And CCTV cameras overlooking the house were also being installed amid fears for the pensioners’ safety upon their return.
Police called at neighbouring homes and gave out leaflets warning of the dangers of bogus callers.
Meanwhile, detectives armed with the CCTV were said to be combing through Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras in the area.
They were also thought to be speaking to other recent victims of burglaries nearby and potential witnesses who may have seen Vincent and his sidekick targeting other properties.