Jump directly to the content

THE man filmed ripping down floral tributes to the burglar who was stabbed to death by a pensioner claims cops have told him his life is in danger.

Waving placards reading "stick your flowers where the sun don't shrine", enraged resident Iain Gordon was today pictured back outside the Hither Green property where locals and travellers have been 'at war' over the killing.

 Iain Gordon today held a protest at the wrecked shrine to stabbed burglar Henry Vincent
6
Iain Gordon today held a protest at the wrecked shrine to stabbed burglar Henry VincentCredit: London News Pictures

Vincent was fatally stabbed by 78-year-old Richard Osborn-Brooks during a botched burglary at the pensioner's semi-detached property in south east London.

After his death, the serial burglar's family began decorating the street outside Mr Osborn-Brooks's home with personal messages and flowers.

The stunt angered Mr Gordon and other locals who tore down the tributes in support of the shaken pensioner, who abandoned his home with his disabled wife after the home invasion.

Today the rampaging resident returned to the shrine to protest against Vincent's supporters.

 Mr Gordon was filmed ripping down floral tributes repeatedly put up by Vincent's family
6
Mr Gordon was filmed ripping down floral tributes repeatedly put up by Vincent's familyCredit: PA:Press Association
 Mr Gordon vows to continue disrupting commemorations to 'scumbag' thief Vincent
6
Mr Gordon vows to continue disrupting commemorations to 'scumbag' thief VincentCredit: PA:Press Association

Mr Gordon threatened to "cause as much disruption as possible" if Vincent's funeral cortege passes the scene of his death.

He said he "got wind" of death threats from burglar's family before he was visited by two officers from the Met's major crime unit on Thursday night.

They are understood to have presented him with a 'threat to life' letter warning him he was in danger.

Despite signing the document acknowledging the 'threat', he defiantly vowed to "slag off" supporters of Vincent outside Parliament on Monday.

The battle over sick shrine to Henry Vincent, between angry supporters of OAP Richard Osborn-Brooks, and the family of the burglar he killed
 Officers have been stationed at the property after tensions boiled over between locals and the traveller family
6
Officers have been stationed at the property after tensions boiled over between locals and the traveller familyCredit: London News Pictures
 Mr Gordon held signs reading: 'Stick you flowers where the sun don't shrine'
6
Mr Gordon held signs reading: 'Stick you flowers where the sun don't shrine'Credit: London News Pictures
 Vincent died this week after a scuffle with pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks unfolded in an attempted burglary
6
Vincent died this week after a scuffle with pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks unfolded in an attempted burglaryCredit: PA:Press Association

He said: "They made me sign a threat to life form that says I'm a serious target of the Vincent family.

"Of course I'm scared. Who wouldn't be scared? I don't want to die."

He added: "On Thursday I was told by somebody who lives in Swanley that 'it's all over Swanley Market' that these guys - the Vincent family - were going to kill me, and take me on a one way trip down the coast."

Meanwhile local residents warned of a "riot" if Vincent's family lead a horse drawn hearse past the home of Mr Osborn-Brooks as part of a rumoured £100,000 funeral.

'Travellers' in Hither Green put shrine to Henry Vincent, burglar killed by Richard Osborn-Brooks, back up as cousin of dead raider hits out

A 37-year-old mum-of-three who has lived in Lewisham for 30 years said: "It will get nasty and I think there will be a riot.

"For me that's the worst thing, and there's more aggression.

"The police should stop it. If they don't, I think people should protest against the police.

"I'd be interested to see what funeral homes they [the Vincent family] use, because they won't want their cars damaged because there will be a riot around the hearse."

Mr Gordon said of Vincent's funeral: "I'm going to cause as much disruption as possible - even if it means climbing on top of the funeral car and ripping the coffin out."

He added: "The police have told me I'm under threat, but they can't protect me.

"I should move house, apparently."

The Metropolitan Police refused to confirm whether or not they had visited Mr Gordon.

A spokesman for the force said: "Police take any threat extremely seriously. Any person who has concerns or information is encouraged to contact police."

Vincent's family and the traveller community plans to lay on 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.


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.


 

Topics