In the quiet village of Bulkington, Warwickshire, where everyone seems to know everyone else’s name, no one could’ve predicted the horrifying story that would unfold behind the walls of a modest bungalow.
What started as a typical evening ended in unthinkable violence, heartbreak, and a family torn apart by the very person they tried to protect.
The Victim Was a Local Legend with a Global Name
John Brown wasn’t just any elderly man. At 81, he was a well-respected figure in the vintage car world—a true craftsman known internationally for restoring classic Jaguars at his workshop, Leaping Cats.
But beyond his professional reputation, he was a loving grandfather and caretaker to his wife, Dorothy, who was bedbound.
Sadly, that loyalty and warmth would be repaid in the most brutal way.
Chilling Footage Captures a Silent Plea for Help
Just minutes before the fatal incident, a security camera installed outside Mr. Brown’s home recorded a haunting scene.
The elderly man could be seen gesturing toward the camera—linked directly to his daughter, Lynda.
Prosecutors believe he was silently calling for help, aware that his daughter might be watching.
Four minutes later, Jakob Walpole, 33, was caught on camera leaving the house after what was later revealed to be a violent and fatal attack on his own grandfather.
A Drunken Rampage Followed the Fatal Assault
Walpole, who had spent the day drinking, didn’t stop there.
Within an hour, he was seen at the Bulkington Working Men’s Club—just after a brief stop at a local pub—where he smashed a glass over the back of a fellow patron’s head after an argument.
That man, Dennis Hopson, was injured in the attack. Moments later, Walpole punched a barman who was escorting him out.
All of this unfolded while his grandfather lay at home with serious injuries to his face and arms.
A Daughter’s Worst Fears Confirmed
Lynda Brown, Jakob’s mother, received a worrying phone call from her father that evening. “He sounded scared,” she told the court.
Concerned for her parents’ safety—especially given Walpole’s history of threats—she immediately called 999 and rushed to the house in a taxi with her partner.
When they arrived, police were already there. Mr. Brown was in bed, bruised and confused.
He was taken to hospital but tragically died six days later after suffering a brain bleed caused by the beating.
The Restraining Order That Came Too Late
It wasn’t the first time Walpole had been aggressive or threatening.
His relationship with his family had severely declined during the pandemic.
Things got so tense that his mother took legal action to protect her parents, obtaining a restraining order that banned him from even approaching their road.
She also installed motion-sensitive cameras at the bungalow—footage from which became vital in court.
The Trial Revealed a Pattern of Aggression and Disrespect
Throughout the four-week trial at Warwick Crown Court, jurors learned of Walpole’s increasingly violent behaviour.
He was known to visit his grandparents while drunk and had a reputation for being verbally abusive.
On the night in question, not only did he assault his grandfather, but he also launched attacks on two other men within hours—actions that made it clear this wasn’t an isolated outburst.
Walpole Cleared of Murder but Convicted of Manslaughter
Jakob Walpole was not convicted of murder.
Instead, he was found guilty of manslaughter, along with additional charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating, and breaching a restraining order. He will be sentenced next Monday.
A Community Mourns the Loss of a Gentleman
Following his death, tributes poured in for John Brown.
He was remembered not just as a globally respected craftsman, but as a devoted grandfather and kind-hearted man.
Natalie Kelly from the Crown Prosecution Service summed it up best: “Everyone who knew Mr Brown saw how much he did for his grandson… but Walpole simply took advantage of his kindness.”
Justice Approaches, But the Damage Is Done
As the sentencing date nears, there’s little comfort for a family that tried everything to protect themselves.
What remains is a village in shock, a family in grief, and a tragic reminder that sometimes, even love and boundaries aren’t enough to stop the unthinkable.
