Man denies murdering his ‘world-renowned' Jaguar restoration expert grandfather
John Brown, 82, died in hospital on November 29 last year, six days after police were called to his home in Bulkington, near Coventry.
At Warwick Crown Court on Thursday, his grandson Jakob Walpole, 32, of School Road in Bulkington, pleaded not guilty to Mr Brown's murder.
He also pleaded not guilty to breaching a restraining order on November 23, and assault by beating and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to an incident at Bulkington Working Men's Club in which a customer and a member of staff were allegedly attacked the same day.
Judge Sylvia de Bertodano said Walpole would face a three-week trial starting on July 7.
She told the defendant he must put together a defence statement before his trial.
She said: 'It is your opportunity to tell your side of the story so please make sure what is in your defence statement is as full as possible.
'You will be brought back for a hearing in the first week of May. In the meantime, you are remanded into custody. You may go.'
Mr Brown was the founder of the company Leaping Cats, which built and restored Jaguars, including the XK series, with his family saying his reputation in the industry was 'unmatched', which earned him 'respect and admiration across the globe'.
In a tribute released after his death, they said: 'It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved, John Brown, a man whose kindness, generosity and passion touched the lives of everyone who knew him.
'John was not only a loving husband, father and grandfather, but also a true gentleman, a pillar of the community and a world-renowned figure in the Jaguar restoration industry.'
They added: 'As a father, he guided his children with wisdom and affection, and as a grandfather he was the heart of the family, creating memories filled with warmth, laughter and love.
'His ability to bring light to any room made him a cherished presence in his family, his community and beyond.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Antonio Brown downplays lavish lifestyle during bankruptcy case
Brown fielded questions about his finances and social media activity during an Aug. 1 meeting of creditors in his Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, downplaying the lavish lifestyle that he has appeared to be living in Dubai over the past seven weeks. The former NFL wide receiver said he does not have any cryptocurrency accounts, does not own any jewelry, does not own any of the expensive sports cars that he has been seen driving in social media posts and is not paying rent in the United Arab Emirates. "I'm actually staying out here with some people, brother," Brown said when asked about his living arrangements. The 37-year-old declined to specify who owns the property at which he has been staying or who is paying the rent, but he said the person is not an American citizen. Attempted murder charge. Bankruptcy. Music. The bizarre post-NFL life of Antonio Brown Brown also indicated that he could soon return to the United States, where he has a warrant out for his arrest after being charged with attempted second-degree murder on June 11. The charge stems from an alleged altercation outside an amateur boxing event on May 16 in Miami. "Hopefully, yes," Brown said, when asked if he planned to return to the U.S. at some point in the near future. The question came in the context of scheduling, as Brown will be asked to sit for a deposition in the bankruptcy case. Because he has an active warrant out for his arrest, he likely would be detained by Customs and Border Protection upon returning to the U.S. A State Department spokesperson declined comment earlier this week when asked by USA TODAY Sports if Brown could be extradited from the United Arab Emirates. The spokesperson cited the department's longstanding policy to not comment on the possible existence of extradition requests. Brown filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2024, according to court records, and his case has since been converted to Chapter 7 - a form of bankruptcy in which the court can seize assets and garnish wages to repay creditors. The longtime Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, who publicly estimated that he made more than $100 million during his NFL career, now owes more than $3.5 million to a handful of creditors. Brown was ordered to appear at Friday's meeting of creditors, which is also known as a 341 meeting, after previously failing to provide the necessary financial documents to the U.S. trustee overseeing his case, Leslie Osborne. Brown joined the meeting several minutes late from what appeared to be a Dubai hotel room. Meetings of creditors are not court hearings and they are not overseen by a judge. But they nevertheless play an important role in the early stages of the bankruptcy process, requiring debtors to answer questions about their finances under penalty of perjury. Friday's meeting was open to members of the public. Osborne's attorney, D. Brett Marks, asked Brown several questions about his life in Dubai and some of his activity on social media, including a June 26 post on X in which the former NFL wideout posted a screenshot of an account balance exceeding $24 million with the caption "bankrupt over." Brown replied that it was an old post and he does not have an account with $24 million. Brown also offered unclear answers when asked about how he is making money and paying for his current lifestyle. When asked about video clips of himself driving luxurious sports cars that he has posted on social media, he denied owning any cars in the United Arab Emirates, then suggested that such clips might have been manufactured by artificial intelligence. Upon further questioning, Brown said he sometimes has access to sports cars as part of a promotional arrangement with a rental car company. Report: Former NFL WR Antonio Brown facing attempted murder charge in Florida Osborne, the trustee tasked with helping Brown pay off his debts, said at the start of the meeting that he had received only two of the requested bank statements from the seven-time Pro Bowler. Brown told Osborne that he would work with his attorney to provide the requested documents - including the original deed of one of the houses he owns in Florida, which could be put up for sale to pay off some of Brown's debts. At the most recent court hearing in Brown's bankruptcy case, on July 24, judge Peter Russin said Brown's case would be "hanging in the balance" if he did not provide financial documents and follow the court's rules. "I really want to explain to him that he's got his future in his own hands," Russin said during the hearing. "He can resolve all these things very simply just by doing what he's obligated to do anyway, and leave here with his financial situation generally intact." Contact Tom Schad at tschad@ or on social media @
ITV News
19 hours ago
- ITV News
Jersey defence lawyer jailed for seven months for multiple driving offences
A Jersey defence lawyer has been sentenced to seven months in prison and disqualified from driving for 30 months after drunkenly crashing his car into another and driving off, just 10 days after finishing community service for assaulting a taxi driver. David Steenson, 57, admitted failing to stop after an accident, drink-driving and two counts of dangerous driving. Jersey Magistrate's Court heard how, on 16 May 2015, police were called to St John, where a white Mini Cooper had been struck by Steenson's vehicle, which had then driven away - and was later found more than a mile up the road. Police had been able to follow marks left by a damaged wheel on Steenson's Jaguar which had grinded with the tarmac. Steenson claims he thought he had hit a curb or a wall. An alcohol breath test showed he had 82 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - which is more than double the legal limit (35mg). It's the second time that the criminal advocate has appeared at the Magistrate's Court in the last 12 months. In December, he was sentenced to 130 hours of community service and forced to pay £2,419.55 of compensation after pleading guilty to attacking a taxi driver whilst drunk. He was also suspended from practicing law in the island for three months. There were two people in the Mini Cooper at the time of the crash, and the driver suffered whiplash, experienced sleeping issues and had to take time off of work. The defence confirmed that Steenson had consumed wine while meeting someone to discuss a legal matter before the collision. They stressed that he has apologised to the owner of the other vehicle and now recognises the risk alcohol can pose. Steenson claims to have experienced a drinking problem and has since sought professional help.
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Press and Journal
Aberdeenshire gardener with 'anger issues' admits domestic abuse
A north-east gardener has been placed under supervision after admitting one charge of domestic abuse. Robert Brown, 53, who runs a grass-cutting business in Aberdeenshire, admitted causing injury to his partner following an argument earlier this year. Brown admitted pushing and pulling her to the body, and grabbing her neck -although only with one hand 'accidentally'. Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that Brown and his victim had been in a long-term relationship when the offence took place earlier this year at an address in Portlethen. Fiscal depute Anne MacDonald told the court an argument had broken out between the pair, which turned physical. Ms MacDonald explained that the couple had been arguing across the length of a desk, and at one point Brown swiped his hand, causing a paper tray to fall to the floor. She said: 'It ended up striking the complainer on the hand. 'The argument continued, and both parties were shouting. 'The accused wanted to leave, but the complainer got in his way accidentally. 'At this stage he stuck his hand out and it has been agreed that the accused touched the complainer's neck – holding her throat by way of pushing past her. 'But not grabbing her with two hands – it was just to get past her.' Brown told police: 'There was no punching; she slapped me.' Brown pleaded guilty to an amended charge wherein charges of him additionally throwing household items at her were dropped. Brown's defence agent, Stuart Flowerdew said: 'He accepts he has anger issues. 'As a result of that, he has discussed carrying out the Caledonian Programme if appropriate. 'He wants to do something to address this.' Mr Flowerdew went on to say the situation was 'complicated' as the couple still ran a business together. Sheriff Ian Duguid said he thought the Caledonian Programme would not be suitable in this case as it would take 24 months to complete. He said: 'I will make a Community Payback Order instead with 12 months supervision.' Brown, of Menzies Road, Aberdeen, stood in the dock shaking his head as the sentence was delivered. Sheriff Duguid said this supervision order was a direct alternative to a fine and did not impose a non-harassment order towards the complainer.
