A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of assault after violent scenes at the funeral of Henry Vincent, the intruder stabbed in a struggle with a 78-year-old householder.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St Mary’s church in St Mary Cray, south-east London, for the service on Thursday morning – a month after Vincent was stabbed with a screwdriver by Richard Osborn-Brooks, whose home in Hither Green, Lewisham, he entered on the morning of 4 April.
Concerns had been raised that Vincent’s funeral could lead to a confrontation between the bereaved and supporters of Osborn-Brooks. Following the killing, a bitter row developed over a shrine set up in Vincent’s memory opposite the house. The shrine was repeatedly desecrated.
Police intervened after mourners surrounding Vincent’s cortege hurled eggs, drinks cans and stones at reporters, then charged. One photographer was punched while other journalists and a passerby were hit with eggs. Officers eventually advised journalists and the public to leave the area.
Several dozen police, including liaison officers, were at St Mary’s church before the arrival of the funeral cortege. Lamp posts on the High Street and around the church were adorned with bouquets of flowers tied with red ribbon. Pubs in the area were closed in anticipation of potential trouble after the funeral, the Guardian was told.
Mourners, some covering their faces, began arriving at the church from 11.30am. One woman shouted: “Leave us alone, we’re burying our child,” shortly before a can of coke was hurled. Other mourners arrived armed with eggs.
Police cleared the area immediately outside the entrance to the church after mourners said there would be “big trouble” if reporters were on the scene when the hearse arrived. Several minutes later an officer said: “Listen to me. I would suggest you go, now.”
Vincent’s cortege, a procession of cars, limousines and a flatbed truck carrying flowers, passed the church at least twice before the service began. On its first appearance one mourner threw water from the window over a photographer and flicked a V-sign. “The king is dead,” shouted another.
The body of Vincent was carried in a silver Mercedes with a white floral arrangement spelling out “Daddy” next to the coffin. It was followed by a long convoy of vehicles, each with its own floral tribute on top, including a caravan and a boxing ring.
Despite police reassurance that the funeral procession would not enter into Lewisham, one resident used his car to block the entrance to South Park Crescent in Hither Green.
The resident said he had decided to park there despite police guidance that the funeral procession was not due to enter Lewisham. He said: “There is the possibility that they might bring the body down in a hearse first and do a pass-by and then go back and have the actual funeral [elsewhere].”
He later left the scene, but a police van with a handful of officers inside parked near the entrance to the road.
The Metropolitan police said the decision to send officers to the south-east London street was for “community reassurance” after reports that Vincent’s friends and family would march through the area in an act of defiance.
Osborn-Brooks was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but later released without charge. His arrest provoked a public outcry, and an online campaign in his support raised thousands of pounds.
Asked about arrests at the funeral, a Met police spokeswoman said: “A male, believed to be in his teens, was arrested on suspicion of assault following an incident in High Street, Orpington, at the junction of Elizabeth Way. He has been released under investigation to return to a police station at a later date.”
