The family of a pensioner arrested over the death of a suspected armed burglar today told of their relief as he was released on bail after 24 hours in custody.
Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, was held on suspicion of murder after allegedly stabbing one of the two intruders during a struggle at the £500,000 home he shares with his disabled wife.
Today, a cousin said the family had been “shocked” by the arrest of the “gentle, friendly man” and said his release under investigation was “great news”.
Zoe Brooks said: “Of course everyone is shocked. He has a lot of support. His release is great news. But we know as much as you at the moment.”
Mr Osborn-Brooks was asleep at home in Hither Green, south east London, with wife Maureen, 76, when he was woken by the sound of intruders in the early hours yesterday.
He was confronted by one suspect, 37, who was armed with a screwdriver, police said, while an accomplice went upstairs.
Neighbours said they saw the injured man stumble 250 yards along South Park Crescent before collapsing in the next street. He was rushed to hospital by paramedics where he was pronounced dead at 3.37am. The second suspect fled in a white van.
The incident has reignited the debate about the rights of home-owners to defend themselves with neighbours expressing anger at Mr Osborn-Brooks’s arrest.
Melissa Darfoor, 22, said: “It is the fair decision, his wife needs him.”
Another neighbour, Anthony Conway, said: “It’s great news that he’s out. He doesn’t deserve to be banged up.
“I understand the rigmarole that they have to go through but the trauma him and his wife have been through is enough.”
Mr Osborn-Brooks suffered bruising to his arms. He was initially arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm before being re-arrested on suspicion of murder.
He has been bailed to return to a south London police station next month.
Moyo Ojo, who lives next door to the elderly couple, said he heard the struggle between the pensioner and the burglar.
“I heard the shouts of the struggle,” he said. “There were a number of voices, some screams but I couldn’t make out the words.
“That kitchen is very small he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to run. He is an old man but it’s fight or flight.
“It’s unfortunate that he was put in that kind of situation.”
Nurse Angela Baker, 52, who also lives next door said that Mr Osborn-Brooks had recently paid for security gates to be fitted to prevent access to the gardens.
Police today appealed for any witnesses who may have seen the second suspect, believed to be a white male, who may have driven away from the scene in a white van.
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