A coroner has found that the burglar who was stabbed by an elderly homeowner in Hither Green was lawfully killed after the inquest was heard today.

Henry Vincent died from a stab wound inflicted by pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks, whose Lewisham home he was burgling on April 4 last year.

Mr Osborn-Brooks was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but was later released without charge.

The 78-year-old's arrest provoked a public outcry, and an online fundraising campaign in support of the pensioner subsequently raised thousands of pounds.

After the incident, Vincent's friends and family sparked outrage among locals in the usually quiet neighbourhood by laying flowers and cards opposite the then boarded-up house.

The tributes were repeatedly torn down by neighbours and well-wishers angry that the career criminal was being remembered in such a way.

Giving his conclusion of lawful killing, coroner Andrew Harris said: "The householder stabbed Mr Vincent in his own home on April 4 2018 just after midnight after he and another intruder had threatened him in an attempted burglary.

"The interaction that led to the stabbing was the simultaneous approach of the deceased with a small screwdriver and the forward movement of the householder with a kitchen knife, leading to moderate force being applied by the knife to Mr Vincent's chest, and its penetration.

"The householder was terrified and asserted he acted in self defence, after an assault by the other intruder.

"He was close to, but not obstructing, the exit by the intruder."

The inquest was heard by senior coroner Andrew Harris at Southwark Coroner's Court today.