A pensioner has admitted stabbing the uncle of Repair Shop star Jay Blades to death with a large kitchen knife after a long running row about their shared alleyway.
Derrick Brown, 74, attacked 73-year-old Richard Brathwaite and his wife Annetta Brathwaite, 71, with a kitchen knife on their road in Wembley, north London, on March 21 ,2024.
Brown, who is said to be suffering from early onset dementia, admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility today at Southwark Crown Court.
Mr Blades, 55, known for hosting the BBC show The Repair Shop, revealed his beloved uncle had been killed in an Instagram post.
The violent attack arose after a long running neighbour dispute over items being left in a shared alleyway – and ended with a chilling text from Brown to his wife saying: ‘I’ve stabbed Richard, I’ve just had enough of them.’
The police found Mr Brathwaite bleeding and were unable to save him, the court heard, while his wife suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Brown was not on the scene.
CCTV and ring doorbell footage showed Mr Brathwaite screaming for help and shouting murder, while Mrs Brathwaite was allegedly punched by Brown as he held the knife, cutting her head and face.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer, KC, said: ‘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”.’
After the attack Brown texted his wife, ‘I’ve stabbed Richard, I’ve just had enough of them,’ and she told him to go to the police station, where he was arrested.
While in the police station, Brown said 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.
