Neighbour Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Fatal Stabbing of Repair Shop Star's Uncle
A pensioner has admitted to fatally stabbing the uncle of BBC Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades with a large kitchen knife, following a protracted neighbourly dispute over a shared alleyway. Derrick Brown, aged 74, launched a violent attack on 73-year-old Richard Brathwaite and his 71-year-old wife Annetta Brathwaite on Cromwell Road in Wembley, north London, on March 21, 2024.
Court Hears Details of the Tragic Incident
At Southwark Crown Court, Brown pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, with reports indicating he suffers from early onset dementia. The court was informed that the assault stemmed from a long-running disagreement about items being left in a communal alleyway, escalating into a deadly confrontation.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer, KC, described how another neighbour witnessed Brown on the street brandishing a knife and declaring, "I've had enough, they're not listening, they need to move their things I'm going to kill them." CCTV and ring doorbell footage captured Mr Brathwaite screaming for help and shouting "murder," while Mrs Brathwaite was allegedly punched by Brown as he held the knife, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to her head and face.
Aftermath and Arrest
Following the attack, Brown sent a chilling text message to his wife stating, "I've stabbed Richard, I've just had enough of them." She advised him to go to the police station, where he was subsequently arrested. While in custody, Brown acknowledged pulling a knife on a man and expressed that he had "experienced enough and put up with 25 years of it."
Evidence collected included blood on Brown's clothing and trainers, as well as a blood-stained knife discovered in his kitchen sink. Brown had initially denied charges of murder and wounding Mrs Brathwaite with intent but admitted to unlawful wounding and possession of a knife during the court proceedings.
Family Impact and Legal Proceedings
Jay Blades, the 55-year-old host of the popular BBC show The Repair Shop, publicly mourned the loss of his beloved uncle in an emotional Instagram post. The police found Mr Brathwaite bleeding at the scene but were unable to save his life, highlighting the tragic outcome of the dispute.
Judge Anupama Thompson has ordered further psychiatric reports on Brown, who will remain in custody ahead of his sentencing scheduled for March 18, 2026. This case underscores the severe consequences of unresolved neighbour conflicts and the impact of mental health issues on violent behaviour.
