Trial over unsolved murder of Northampton man David Brickwood to begin this Monday

A murder trial over the unsolved killing of Northampton's David Brickwood will begin this Monday.

On September 26, 2015, Mr Brickwoood, 74, was murdered at his home in Lindsay Avenue in a late night attack.

An inquest later heard the grandfather-of-10, who had lived in Abington for over 50 years, suffered 35 separate injuries, including multiple stab wounds.

Now, over five years on, a murder trial is set to begin at Birmingham Crown Court on April 19.

Cameron St Rose, 26, of Forest Gate, London, was charged in August 2020 with killing Mr Brickwood during the events of an alleged burglary at the home that night. He denies all charges.

David Brickwood was a popular scrap metal dealer who was described by his neighbours as "the heart of the street". His son said at the time of the inquest that his dad was a 'pillar of the Abington community'.

The five-year investigation into his death has included a number of appeals by Northamptonshire Police who also worked with the BBC’s Crimewatch to create a reconstruction.

During that time, the search for Mr Brickwood's alleged killer has also included a widespread appeal for information, a lake dredging in search of evidence at Eastfield Park, and the arrest and subsequent release of more than 10 suspects.

In the attack in 2015, it is believed an unknown number of raiders had pushed open a downstairs window before bursting into the pensioner’s bedroom and delivering a brutal assault while he was in bed.

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.

A team of 45 detectives in the regional crime unit were working on the case in 2015.

The trial beginning next week is expected to last at least three weeks.