Derrick Brown, 74, used a with a large kitchen knife to attack 73-year-old Richard Brathwaite and his wife Annetta Brathwaite in Wembley
A pensioner has admitted stabbing the uncle of Repair Shop star Jay Blades to death following a longstanding disagreement over their shared alleyway.
Derrick Brown, 74, used a with a large kitchen knife to attack 73-year-old Richard Brathwaite and his wife Annetta Brathwaite, 71, on March 21, 2024 on their road in Wembley, north London.
Brown admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility today at Southwark Crown Court, he is said to be suffering from early onset dementia.
Host of the BBC show The Repair Shop, Mr Blades, 55, revealed his beloved uncle had been killed in an Instagram post.
The horrific attack came after a long-running neighbour dispute over items being left in a shared alleyway. The squabble came to a tragic end when Brown wrote a chilling text to his wife, saying: “I’ve stabbed Richard, I’ve just had enough of them.”
Mr Brathwaite was found bleeding by police who were tragically unable to save him, the court heard, meanwhile his wife has suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Brown was not at the scene. Mr Brathwaite can be heard screaming for help and shouting murder in chilling footage from CCTV and a ring doorbell. Mrs Brathwaite was allegedly punched by Brown as he held the knife, cutting her head and face.
“Another neighbour went out to find the defendant on the street with a knife saying ‘I’ve had enough, they’re not listening, they need to move their things I’m going to kill them’,” Prosecutor Deanna Heer, KC, told the trial.
Following the brutal attack Brown texted his wife, saying: “I’ve stabbed Richard, I’ve just had enough of them.” She told him to go to the police station, where he was arrested.
Talking to police at the station, Brown confirmed that he knew he had pulled a knife on a man and that he experienced “enough and put up with 25 years of it”.
Blood was found on his clothing and trainers, while a blood stained knife was found in his kitchen sink.
Brown had earlier denied murder and wounding Mrs Brathwaite with intent but admitted unlawful wounding today.
He also admitted possession of knife.
Judge Anupama Thompson ordered further psychiatric reports on Brown, who will say in custody ahead of sentencing on March 18 2026.
