FRIENDS and neighbours are outraged after a pensioner was arrested on suspicion of murdering a suspected burglar who broke into his home.

Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, who has since been bailed, was confronted by two intruders at his home while in bed with his wife in the early hours of yesterday.

12 Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, is being quizzed by cops after the incident at a Hither Green home Credit: Facebook

One, armed with a screwdriver, forced him downstairs into the kitchen while his accomplice searched the house.

It is understood Mr Osborn-Brooks, who lives with his wife Maureen, 76, managed to overpower the man and stab him.

The raiders fled the £540,000 semi-detached house in Hither Green, South East London.

But the stabbed man, who was bleeding heavily, collapsed on the pavement in a nearby street.

12 A 2014 picture of Osborn-Brooks clay pigeon shooting

Can you KILL to protect your home?

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Police have been questioning Mr Osborn-Brooks over the killing, with it today announced that he had been bailed to return to a south London police station in early May pending further enquiries.

Pals have spoken out in the elderly man's defence to say he was just defending his home - and deserves praise, not accusations.

They described him as a "traditional English gentleman", with one neighbour Nick Myatt saying: "I saw him a few times, he's a lovely old man and he cares for his wife who I think has dementia or is disabled.

"He's a nice man, nice to talk to.

12 The suspected burglar's route after leaving the house, shortly before collapsing

"He's an old man - it's a shame really. I hope the law sees sense and let's him off. I don't think it's right."

It was today revealed that Mr Osborn-Brooks had donated cash towards a scheme aimed at reducing burglaries in his community.

Councillor Mark Inglebyb said that the pensioner had continued to the new gates to help secure private alleyways, adding: "Money has to come from the residents' hearts and it's sad when you see this.

"When that happens you inevitably feel threatened."

Others have voiced their support for Mr Osborn-Brooks, with friend Tony Guest, 61, posting on Facebook: “So a 78-year-old man gets burgled by two men.

“There is a scuffle and the old man has slight injuries but managed to stab one of the burglars and he shortly died.

“The other burglar is on the run but the 78-year-old is arrested for murder.

“So this is British justice is it? Where is our protection?

“The old man deserves a medal and to be let free. I really can’t believe this has happened to him. I am in total shock.”

Mr Osborn-Brooks, a keen chess player, was a manager for the RAC in Croydon, South London, before retiring about 26 years ago.

12 Forensic officers pictured at the scene in Hither Green on Wednesday morning Credit: Darren Fletcher - The Sun

12 Police said a struggle ensued between the homeowner and a 38-year-old man

12 Police rolled out a large scale investigation in the hours after the incident Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Ex-colleague Andrew Burgess, 66, said: “He is a great guy.

“I have nothing but praise for him for what he did last night.

“I have never known him to be violent but when somebody comes into your home what else could you do?

“I would do the same. He saved his home and his family.”

Neighbour Clem Williams, 58, a martial arts instructor, said: “The man has a right to defend his home. They should let him go."

Adam Lake, who lives near the scene, added he believed Mr Osborn-Brooks was "just protecting himself".

He said: "He doesn't deserve to be punished for defending himself, and the neighbours that I've spoken to all agree that the priority needs to be to support him after everything that he's been through.

"He was just protecting himself after all."

12 Police said the incident had broken out just after midnight Credit: Ferrari

A 57-year-old local said she supported the man "100 per cent", saying: "We used to say hello to each other.

"He defended his house like anybody would.

"He's a traditional Englishman. Him and his wife were an elderly couple.

"You would see them going shopping all the time together.

"I think it's good everyone supports him because anyone would do the same thing to protect their property and their wife or husband."

Timothy Mgbeobuna, 63, who lives several doors away with his wife and four children, added: "We all support him defending himself, his property and his wife.

Malcolm Starr, who who led the campaign to free pensioner Tony Martin who was jailed in a similar case, called the arrest of Mr Osborn-Brooks "disgusting”.

He told the Mail: "First he’s hustled by two men into his kitchen where he fights for his life and then he finds himself facing a murder charge. It’s just not right.

"What happened to the premise that an Englishman’s home is his castle?"

A fundraiser has since been started for Richard on GoFundMe.

THE COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE AN emergency local neighbourhood watch meeting is due to be held tonight after the Hither Green incident. Theresa Webb, 43, a consultant nutritional therapist who lives on South Park Crescent said the community fully supports the newly bailed Richard Osborn-Brooks. She said: "We all support him, absolutely. "It's a case of a person protecting their own property. "We of course send our condolences to the family of the man who passed away, but he is defending his property. "He has done nothing wrong. " The 43-year-old added an emergency meeting of the neighbourhood watch group is being held tonight. She said: "There is an emergency meeting tonight at the local church. "We are very close-knit community, I have lived here for a long time and there are a lot of good people here. "The incident has sent shockwaves through the community. "We will do everything we can to try and further reduce incidents like this." Another woman, who had a Neighbourhood Watch sticker on the front window of her home, said: "I feel so sorry for him and his wife. "They were indoors minding their own business and their world has been turned upside down - that's it in a nutshell."

12 A forensic tent has been set up outside the Hither Green home Credit: PA:Press Association

12 A forensic officer speaks to a police officer outside the property Credit: Darren Fletcher - The Sun

12 Forensic officers have been at the scene all day as part of their investigations Credit: PA:Press Association

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "He's retired. A really a nice guy, keeps himself to himself."

Police were called at 12.45am yesterday and paramedics treated the stabbed man at the scene.

The 38-year-old died in hospital at 3.37am. His accomplice was last night still at large.

Mr Osborn-Brooks, who suffered bruising to his arm, was arrested by detectives on suspicion of GBH and murder.

Gordon Williams, 44, heard "moaning and groaning" before seeing the man on the ground, saying: "I had just gone to to bed and I heard moaning and groaning.

"I thought it was someone drunk but I managed to look out of the window."

He said that another man appeared to be trying to help the wounded man, but eventually drove off.

Mr Williams said he rushed out of his house to help, adding: "I just tried to reassure him.

12 Officers had been called to the Hither Green home after midnight Credit: Darren Fletcher - The Sun

12 A police van on Further Green Road in Hither Green Credit: PA:Press Association

"His T-shirt was covered in blood."

Yesterday a female relative of Mr Osborn-Brooks in Codsall, Staffs, was too upset to comment.

Police have since released an appeal for anyone with information to help find the outstanding suspect from the burglary.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, is leading the investigation and said: "I would like to speak with anyone who has information regarding the outstanding suspect from the burglary, who is believed to be a white male; he may have told someone what happened at the address.

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"It is possible that he fled the scene in a vehicle, possibly a white van, leaving the scene in the direction of Further Green Road. Did you see this vehicle?

"Do you know where it went after this? I ask anyone to contact our incident room as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should contact the Incident Room on 020 8721 4205 or call 101 quoting reference CAD214/4Apr.