The family of Henry Vincent has decided to give their murdered relation what they call “last respects” in a funeral ceremony that has pitted them against the law and residents of their locality.
Throughput the pompous burial service, Henry’s favourite songs rented the air, including If I could turn back the hands of time, by R Kelly; and Celine Dion’s ‘I’m your angel.”
Thirty-seven-year-old Henry Vincent was fatally stabbed by a pensioner whose home he had tried to burgle.
The pensioner, 78-year-old Richard Osborn-Brooks, fought back and killed Henry who had intruded in his house in Hither Green in April.
However, what should, ordinarily be a sober ceremony turned violent as the family of Henry, derisively referred to as “a career criminal,” threw decency to the winds and gave him a “loud” burial, complete with a procession around town.
The burial service, which cost a reported £100,000, was marred by violence as mourners travelled to St Mary’s Church in south-east London.
Vincent’s father was heard shouting, “The king is dead,” as his son’s hearse left the church.
Reporters covering the proceedings were asked by police to leave the scene as funeral guests threw rocks and eggs at them.
As police helicopters flew above the church, two groups of roughly 540 friends and family surrounded the press and began throwing punches, rock and eggs for 30 seconds before police rushed over.
One man was arrested on suspicion of assault near the church yard, police confirmed.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “A male believed to be in his teens was arrested on suspicion of assault following an incident on High Street, Orpington, at the junction of Elizabeth Way at around 1.15pm. He has been released under investigation to report to a police station at a later date.”
Mike Hughes, a reporter for London radio station LBC, said: “In my 10 years as a journalist, I have never felt so under threat.
“I’ve had bottles thrown in my face. I am covered in egg, which was pelted at me. It all came from members of the funeral cortege. I was surrounded by people who were very angry, very upset and became very violent, very quickly.”
One mourner said: “His body has been kept in an open casket for three days outside his mum’s house so people can see him.
“His mum is devastated, she has not left the house at all for days. After the funeral we’re coming back to the mum’s house for the wake and there will be a massive bonfire.
“People will the sit around and say nice things about him. I know he’s done a bad thing, but he’s dead and it’s only right for the family to pay their respects.”
Earlier, angry residents near the street where Vincent was killed formed a blockade in case the procession passed nearby.
One neighbour, who gave his name only as Dave, has still parked his car at the end of the road in a bid to block any attempt to bring the cortege past the house.
He said: “I think it’s a disgrace that they want to bring the funeral past after all the flower debacle. It’s just not on.”
The 57-year-old said he had decided to park up despite police guidance that the funeral procession is not due to enter the area.
“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 said.
South Park Crescent in Hither Green has become the centre of tensions after memorials to Vincent were repeatedly torn down opposite the house where he was killed by Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, who stabbed the intruder as he defended his home.
The 30-minute service reportedly saw 200 family and friends attending, and included some of Vincent’s favourite songs including ‘If I Could Turn Back The Hands of Time’ by R Kelly and Celine Dion’s ‘I’m Your Angel.”
