The justice secretary, Chris Grayling, supported a further clause, which came into force in 2013, permitting householders to resort to “disproportionate force”. The coalition government introduced extra protections. The last Labour government enacted section 76 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, which enshrined the common law of self defence into statute, permitting the use of reasonable force when a defendant is confronted in their home. The case provoked a series of legal reforms. Martin was initially jailed for nine years but that was reduced to manslaughter on appeal and his sentence cut to three years. The controversy over the Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, who was jailed in 1999 for murder after shooting a teenage burglar as he fled, turned the legal definition into a hot political issue. Since 1967 it has been legal for anyone to use “reasonable” force to prevent crime or to apprehend an offender. “In any circumstances where someone is injured or dies – including where that is an intruder or a burglar – you would expect the police to ascertain the facts of what happened and ensure that a proper process is followed.”Ī householder’s right to use force in self-defence when confronting a burglar in their home has been strengthened repeatedly in recent years. “The law on the extent of that right changed a few years ago following the case of Tony Martin, and while every incident will be different, it seems to me that the legal balance which currently exists is broadly appropriate. Officers at the scene lifted cars to inspect drains, checking whether weapons had been hidden after the incident.Īlexander, the MP for Lewisham East, told the Guardian: “Finding someone in your own home in the middle of the night doesn’t bear thinking about, and I think it goes without saying that you should have a right to defend yourself and your family. I lived in America – if this was in America this wouldn’t be a big issue.” This is a pensioner that has worked all his life who wants to live and die quietly. Vincent was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead at 3.37am on Wednesday.Ī neighbour of Osborn-Brooks, who asked not to be named, backed his right to self-defence. 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.” “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. Harding 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. The local MP, Labour’s Heidi Alexander, and legal experts said householders were entitled to defend themselves in their homes if they believed they were being attacked. The force said yesterday that the appeal was ongoing. Kent police said in January they were keen to speak to Vincent and another man identified as Billy Jeeves. She left when a white van pulled up and sounded its horn the homeowner later discovered that valuables were missing. Vincent was previously the subject of an appeal by Kent police, who said in January that he was wanted in connection with a distraction burglary that took place at the home of a man in his 70s in Farningham in November last year.Ī woman knocked on the door of the house, claiming to have been assaulted and seeking refuge. Neighbours of Richard Osborn-Brooks have said he should not be punished for allegedly protecting himself.
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