A 74-year-old pensioner has admitted stabbing the uncle of BBC Repair Shop host Jay Blades to death following a long-running dispute over a shared alleyway. Derrick Brown pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, with the court hearing he suffers from early onset dementia.
The attack occurred on March 21, 2024, in Wembley, north London, where Brown used a large kitchen knife to stab 73-year-old Richard Brathwaite and his wife Annetta, 71. Mr Brathwaite died at the scene despite police efforts to save him, while his wife sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer, KC, told the court the dispute centred on items left in a shared alleyway. On the day of the attack, Brown sent a chilling text to his wife saying: 'I've stabbed Richard, I've just had enough of them.' CCTV footage captured Mr Brathwaite screaming for help and shouting 'murder'.
Brown was arrested after his wife told him to go to the police station. He told officers he had 'had enough and put up with 25 years of it'. Blood was found on his clothing and trainers, and a blood-stained knife was discovered in his kitchen sink.
Brown had initially denied murder and wounding Mrs Brathwaite with intent but admitted unlawful wounding. Judge Anupama Thompson ordered further psychiatric reports, with sentencing scheduled for March 18, 2026. Brown will remain in custody until then.
