Man accused of stabbing Repair Shop star Jay Blades' uncle to death pleads 'not guilty'
The Repair Shop's Jay Blades has been left heartbroken following the death of his beloved uncle, Richard Brathwaite.
A 72-year-old man accused of stabbing Jay Blades' uncle to death has pleaded “not guilty” today. It comes after The Repair Shop star announced he would be taking time away from social media to process his grief following his beloved family member’s death.
Richard Brathwaite, 72, was found dead on March 21 around lunchtime on Cromwell Road in Wembley. His next-door neighbour from the same street, Derek Brown is accused of stabbing him with a knife.
It is claimed that Brown launched the attack on the quiet residential street following a long-standing dispute over a shared alleyway. Reports say that Mr Blades' 71-year-old aunt Annetta Braithwaite was also injured in the attack, suffering cuts to her head and face.
Today, Brown appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Belmarsh and pleaded not guilty to murder, wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Judge Charles Bourne KC has set a three-week trial from January 27 next year.
BBC star Blades, 54, told fans the shock of his bereavement had left him feeling “messed up” ahead of his hiatus from social media.
On Monday, he explained how his uncle had been "murdered a few weeks ago" and the traumatic experience had left him deeply shaken.
Blades’ aunt was reportedly the one to call the police after discovering her husband had been stabbed.
The defendant was later arrested outside Wembley police station, MyLondon reports.
Two days later, a post-mortem examination determined the victim's cause of death, which occurred at 12:30 pm, as a stab injury.
A man was charged with murder, wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place when he stood in court on March 26.
In March, Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told the Old Bailey that the alleged murder occurred following a "long-running neighbour dispute between the defendant and the deceased".
Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC scheduled a plea hearing for Tuesday, June 11.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, Blades told his 197,000 followers: "Hope you're all well.
“This is kind of like a public service announcement,” he added. "I've just been to my uncle's funeral, he was murdered a few weeks ago.
“Really, super nice guy, shouldn't have happened to him, but it really affected me."
He added that he was feeling “messed up” following the shocking incident, before explaining: “So what I'm intending on doing is this... I'm coming off social media for a bit, and I'll be back in a bit. Going to go and get some therapy and just chill out.”
Adding that he was “taking stock” of everything in the wake of the tragedy, he signed off: "Please, take care of each other, take care of yourself, and I'll see you guys soon."
