David Brickwood trial: Northampton scrap dealer was murdered in 'carefully planned' burglary, say prosecutors

More than five years after his death, a trial is underway into the 74-year-old Northampton man's unsolved murder
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Northampton’s David Brickwood was murdered in a “carefully planned” but botched burglary by at least two men searching for up to £60,000 in cash, a prosecutor has claimed.

A trial into the unsolved murder of Northampton’s David Brickwood has gotten underway more than five years after his death.

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David Brickwood was stabbed to death at his home in Lindsay Avenue in a late night attack on September 26, 2015.

A trial has begun into the unsolved murder of David Brickwood more than five years after his death.A trial has begun into the unsolved murder of David Brickwood more than five years after his death.
A trial has begun into the unsolved murder of David Brickwood more than five years after his death.

But at Birmingham Crown Court today (April 20), a prosecutor set out that the “very popular” grandfather-of-10 was allegedly murdered by Cameron St Rose, 26, of Forest Gate, London and at least one unidentified attacker.

At court today, Prosecutor Mr Peter Grieves-Smith QC told a jury that the 74-year-old scrap metal dealer was targeted because he kept large amounts of cash in the house.

“This offence was carefully planned,” the prosecutor said.

“David Brickwood was a very popular local figure who helped his neighbours when they needed assistance.

The 74-year-old grandfather-of-10 was described as "very popular" and a "pillar of the Abington Community."The 74-year-old grandfather-of-10 was described as "very popular" and a "pillar of the Abington Community."
The 74-year-old grandfather-of-10 was described as "very popular" and a "pillar of the Abington Community."
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“And also, he was known to keep large quantities of cash in his house. He didn’t trust banks.

“And this made him an attractive target for burglars.”

In fact, when police searched the house after the murder, they found almost £60,000 in cash stashed away across the home.

“It was hidden in such a way so his murderers did not find it,” Mr Grieves-Smith said.

The prosecution’s case is that St Rose - and one other unidentified male - allegedly broke into Mr Brickwood’s house, forced entry to his bedroom and murdered him in a search for cash.

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The grandfather's mattress was reportedly found flipped out of its bedframe, which the prosecutor shows how the intruders ransacked the house in a search for money.

St Rose, who would have been 24 at the time of the alleged offences and was arrested in 2020, denies both charges of burglary and murder.

An inquest later heard the popular scrap metal dealer, who was described as a “pillar of the Abington community” by a neighbour, suffered 35 separate injuries, including multiple stab wounds.

David initially survived the attack and was able to call the police. Officers performed emergency first aid in an attempt to save the 74-year-old’s life, however, he died a short time later at Northampton General Hospital.

The trial continues.