Man arrested over failed burglary at pensioner's home in Hither Green

A man wanted in connection with a failed burglary in south east London has been arrested more than two weeks later in Kent.

Police detained Billy Jeeves, 28, on Friday in connection with the burglary on 4 April, in which two men entered the home of Richard Osborn-Brooks in Hither Green, Lewisham.

Henry Vincent, another intruder, died after an altercation with Mr Osborn-Brooks, who was not charged in connection with the death.

Scotland Yard said: "Police recently appealed for information regarding a man they wanted to trace in connection with an aggravated burglary in Hither Green, Lewisham.

"Billy Jeeves, aged 28, was located and detained in north Kent at approximately 5.30pm on Friday April 20 by officers from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, with support from officers from the Territorial Support Group and officers at Kent Police.

"He has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of burglary, theft and possession of a controlled substance.

"He has been taken into custody at a Kent police station.

"No other persons are being sought in connection with this investigation.

"Enquiries continue."

Vincent, 37, died after a struggle with the pensioner in his home on 4 April.

Following his death, his friends and family left flowers and tributes to him around the home of Mr Osborn-Brooks, which were frequently torn down by the pensioner's neighbours.

Police were forced to intervene on 12 April, telling neighbours to stop tearing down the tributes to Vincent.

They had previously said the matter of leaving flowers for the dead was not a police issue.

On Sunday evening, Lewisham Council and the Metropolitan Police said all the flowers and tributes had now been removed.

It said council staff had moved them to a "local community garden" and that the decision was made jointly with the police in order "to reduce the impact on the local community".

Mr Osborn-Brooks and his wife are understood to have been staying at a police safe house.

The 78-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail, but was later told he will face no further action.