Pensioner, 78, arrested for ‘stabbing burglar in home’ has been released on bail
Zoe Drewett for Metro.co.uk
A pensioner arrested on suspicion of murder over the stabbing of an intruder during a burglary at his home has been released on bail.
Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, has been bailed until May pending further enquiries, Scotland Yard said.
He was quizzed by police yesterday after fatally wounding the intruder during a suspected burglary at his home in Hither Green, south-east London, at around 12.45am on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old, who died after a struggle with the pensioner, had an accomplice who dragged him towards a van before leaving him for dead, according to an eyewitness.
Officers were called to reports of a burglary in progress after two men entered a house in South Park Crescent, the Metropolitan Police said.
One suspect, armed with a screwdriver, forced the 78-year-old homeowner into his kitchen when he discovered them, while his accomplice went upstairs, the force said.
Detectives believe a struggle ensued between ‘one of the males and the homeowner’ and the intruder was stabbed in the upper body.
They refused to confirm whether the suspect had been stabbed with the screwdriver.
The victim was later found collapsed in nearby Further Green Road by paramedics from London Ambulance Service, who took him to a central London hospital where he died at 3.37am.
Adam Lake, who lives near the scene, said he did not feel safe from crime and that Mr Osborn-Brooks was ‘just protecting himself’.
He said: ‘He doesn’t deserve to be punished for defending himself, and the neighbours that I’ve spoken to all agree that the priority needs to be to support him after everything that he’s been through.
‘He was just protecting himself after all.’
The pensioner, who suffered bruising to his arms, was initially arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm but was further arrested on suspicion of murder, the Met said.
At least five forensic officers entered the house, guarded by police, on South Park Crescent just before 1pm on Wednesday.
A large purple forensic tent was erected by the front door.
The dead suspect’s next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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