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SICK SHRINE DESTROYED
Angry locals tear down vile ‘tributes’ to burglar killed by hero OAP Richard Osborn-Brooks
A SICKENING shrine to the burglar killed by pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks has been dramatically dismantled.
A woman with scissors was seen cutting floral tributes from lampposts, fences and street signs — and leaving them on the ground.
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The move came at around 10pm after pals of Harry Vincent outraged residents by setting up the shrine yards from the scene of his final crime
More than 20 bunches of flowers and messages to the career villain were placed by fellow members of his travelling community near Richard’s home.
One of 78-year-old Richard’s neighbours said: “If it was safe for him to return, that shrine would turn his stomach.
“These people should accept Vincent was the architect of his own death, yet they come here and rub it in Richard’s face. They have no shame. Richard is the real victim here.”
Angry local tears down tribute shrine to burglar Henry Vincent killed by OAP Richard Osborn-Brooks
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Footage shows flowers lying on the ground outside Richard Osborn-Brooks property in Hither Green after the death of Henry Vincent
The shrine to Vincent, 37, was set up as it was revealed Richard and 76- year-old wife Maureen are living in a police safe house following death threats from the criminal’s friends.
Vincent’s grieving daughter penned a heartbreaking tribute to the burglar, saying she will “never be ashamed to call him daddy”.
The card read: "No matter what people say about you, we know who you are and how you was, anybody who knows you knew what you was like dad.
"Strangers can say what they like about you, they don't no who you was so I don't care, I new you and I loved you more then anything in the world.
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"I will never be ashamed to call you my daddy and you was the best one I could ask for.
"I'm a proud daughter, you would do anything for your family, especially us girls."
They are under 24-hour police protection and have not been able to return to their home in Hither Green, South East London, since Vincent was fatally stabbed.
A friend said the couple were living in fear after learning Vincent was a traveller.
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'Travellers' in Hither Green put shrine to Henry Vincent, burglar killed by Richard Osborn-Brooks, back up as cousin of dead raider hits out
One member of the travelling community warned: “They won’t get over the death of one of their own and they won’t rest until they get their revenge.
“And when I say revenge, they will go armed with whatever they’ve got — guns, knives. There’s nothing they won’t do to get their own back on this pensioner.”
Richard’s neighbours urged police to remove the shrine to Vincent, who had a history of targeting the elderly. One said: “It’s a disgrace.”
The tribute was set up by women who clambered on garden walls to attach balloons and flowers to a wooden fence.
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Some messages hailed Vincent as a family man and called his death an “injustice”.
Ex-RAC manager and security guard Richard was woken up when Vincent and an accomplice broke in just after midnight.
He investigated and was threatened with a screwdriver. Ex- boxer Vincent was stabbed during a scuffle in the kitchen.
Richard was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but later released without charge.
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Police are hunting Vincent’s suspected accomplice Billy Jeeves, 28. His white Vauxhall Astra van was found burned-out in Orpington at the weekend.
Witnesses saw someone dragging Vincent towards a similar van before leaving him for dead.
Richard was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but later released without charge.
Relative of burglar, Henry Vincent who was 'killed by OAP' is ANGRY pensioner is on bail
