Government ‘sympathies’ with homeowners after break-ins in wake of alleged burglar murder
2 min read
David Gauke has insisted homeowners should be able to defend themselves against an intruder in their home after a pensioner was arrested on suspicion of murder.
The Justice Secretary's intervention comes after 78-year-old Richard Osborn-Brooks was arrested following the death of suspected burglar Henry Vincent, 37, in London earlier this week.
Mr Osborn-Brooks was yesterday released on bail pending further inquiries.
The case has split public opinion on the justification of such actions, with an online fundraising campaign having already been launched for the pensioner.
Mr Vincent was named by police on a "most wanted" list in 2013 and was reportedly being pursued by police for another burglary.
While Mr Gauke said he would not comment on specific cases, he said that "our sympathies are with householders who have to defend themselves when intruders break in".
“That’s why we strengthened the law in 2013 to give householders greater protection from intruders,” he added.
"Those changes make it clear that if a householder believes their life or the lives of their family are in danger, and they act in self-defence, they would not ordinarily be convicted of an offence."
Yesterday, former International Development Secretary, Ms Patel, told the Daily Telegraph: "There is a gulf in public confidence in the criminal justice system. This is an issue for everyone to get a grip of.
"This is a man who is clearly a victim of a horrendous crime. We must always put the interests of the victims at the heart of our justice system and not just come out on the side of offenders."
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