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Pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks will never return to his home where burglar Henry Vincent was stabbed for fear of reprisals, according to a local source.

The friend anonymously revealed to the Mirror that the 78-year-old and his disabled wife are definitely not going back to their home in Hither Green, south London.

He said: “They are waiting for the dust to settle before they announce that publicly and put their house on the market.”

When asked if this was due to fear of revenge attacks over the killing of the career criminal, he added: “It’s the fact that they could come back and that his wife’s disabled.

“They could terrorise him. It’s not safe.

(Image: Handout) (Image: Chris J Ratcliffe)

“He’s got what happened that night on his conscience for the rest of his life now. He’s never going to forget that he’s killed someone.

“He’s not a violent person he’s a really nice run of the mill guy.”

Family members are expected to release a statement in the coming week.

Vincent, who was with an accomplice, was killed during a struggle after breaking into the Osborn-Brooks' home just before 1am on April 4.

(Image: Facebook)

The Met Police said one of the suspects was armed with a screwdriver and threatened the homeowner.

Vincent's body was later found dead in a neighbouring street with a stab wound to the upper body.

Mr Osborn-Brooks was arrested on suspicion of murder before being released without charge and moved into police protection.

There have been tense scenes outside the property in recent days as relatives of Vincent and furious residents clashed over a large floral shrine to the dead burglar.

(Image: SWNS.com)

(Image: PA)

A Met Police chief urged people to act "respectfully" at a shrine to Vincent outside the pensioner's home, saying: "Laying flowers is not a crime."

Deputy Commissioner Sir Craig Mackey says Henry Vincent's death was a "tragedy" for both his loved ones and homeowner Mr Osborn-Brooks.

But despite this, he says he would have preferred if the pavement outside Mr Osborn-Brooks's home had remained clear of floral tributes.

He also says the local authority is considering how the items at the scene in south-east London are managed, with police "inputting" in this.