SICK TRIBUTES
Who was Henry Vincent, when was his funeral and what was the shrine to the dead burglar at OAP Richard Osborn-Brooks’ home?
HENRY Vincent was a career criminal who died in a botched robbery in South East London, triggering a tense row between his family and others in the community.
Here's the story of how Vincent's death sparked angry scenes in Hither Green.
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Who is Henry Vincent and how did he die?
Henry Vincent, 37, was stabbed to death by Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, who woke to find two men in his home.
Witnesses saw someone dragging Vincent towards a van before leaving him for dead in the early hours of April 4, 2018.
Hie funeral is on May 3, 2018.
Vincent was once on a "most wanted" list and is reported to have spent a total of ten years behind bars.
Osborn-Brooks was arrested on suspicion of murder but later told by police he would face no further action.
Vincent had been part of a gang known to escort victims to banks to withdraw the cash to pay for work.
In 2009, Vincent was jailed for six years after charging an OAP £72,000 to replace a single tile on his roof.
Vincent, described in court as a drug addict, told the pensioner his roof joists were rotten and showed him maggots as proof.
Several members of Vincent's family were jailed for a total of almost 29 years at Croydon Crown Court in 2003.
They were found guilty of duping OAPs out of £448,180, according to .
The gang, which operated in London and Kent comprised of Vincent, his dad and five of his uncles.
On May 2, 2018, it was reported that Henry Vincent's criminal dad was "living in £1.7m farm after wife bought farm land from OAP for sixth of its value".
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What tributes were left for him?
Friends of the burglar built a shrine with cards, flowers, teddy bears and balloons opposite the house he broke into.
Several people, many with hoods over their faces, arrived on the street in Hither Green to commemorate Vincent.
One message addressed to "Henry Boy" said: "We love you so much and think the world of you. Miss you so much doesn't seem real."
One of the balloons read "love you" while another read "super daddy" and a third said "You'll be missed."
Brazen pals of the dead criminal planned to hold a vigil on April 15 outside the pensioner's home where he was killed, on what would have been Vincent's 38th birthday.
Friends of the burglar wanted to "attract a lot of mourners" to the site.
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What did locals say about the tributes for Henry Vincent?
The tributes left to the intruder were torn down overnight and lay in tatters on Tuesday, April 10.
The only tribute not cut from the fence was a card signed by Vincent's daughters and a teddy bear.
A neighbour who asked not to be named said the shrine honouring Vincent was placed opposite Osborn-Brooks' home to "antagonise" him.
Another added: "He [Osborn-Brooks] probably worked his whole life to get that house and now he's out through no fault of his own."
The tributes were later placed back on the fence only to be torn down again.
Once they were ripped down for a third time cops on horseback rode in to stop clashes between rival groups.
One angry neighbour told Sun Online: “Every time they put the flowers up, they will be taken down."
When was Henry Vincent's funeral?
Vincent's funeral took place on May 3, with a procession of eight Mercedes limos.
Members of the travelling community said it will be the "funeral of all funerals."
A source close to his family said they are planning to spend £100,000 on the final journey of the crack addict.
Residents feared Vincent’s traveller friends could clash with the community when the procession takes place.
But police revealed the funeral will not pass the home of the Osborn-Brooks - the man who killed him.
Vincent is due to be buried near his family’s site in Orpington, Kent.
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What happened to burglary victim Richard Osborn-Brooks?
The OAP who killed a burglar at his home is living in fear in a safe house after death threats from the man's friends.
Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, has had a 24-hour police guard with wife Maureen, 76, since Henry Vincent's stabbing.
Neighbours of the ex-RAC boss, who was threatened with a screwdriver after two men broke in, said: "Richard is the real victim here."
Osborn-Brooks was originally arrested but released without charge.
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