09-07-2025
Jaguar restoration expert, 81, 'gestured for help' from daughter on CCTV before his grandson, 33, launched fatal attack after all-day drinking session, court told
A 'world-renowned' Jaguar restoration expert was seen pleading for help on a security camera – before he was fatally attacked by his own grandson, a court heard.
Jurors were shown 'haunting' footage of John Brown, 81, waving at the camera in his garden - which was 'linked to his daughter', Walpole's mother – before the pensioner went back inside the bungalow.
Less than four minutes later, Jakob Walpole, 33, was seen emerging from the two-bedroom property, having allegedly 'set about his own grandfather'.
A court heard he then headed to a nearby working men's club, where Mr Brown had been a regular, and assaulted two men – smashing a glass over the back of the head of one of the victims.
The court heard Walpole's behaviour towards his family had deteriorated since the pandemic, to the extent that his mother, Lynda Brown, sought a restraining order banning him from a road leading to his grandparents' home.
Mrs Brown also installed the cameras at her parents' home - which the court heard would provide 'important evidence' of what went on at the address on the evening of the attack.
Prosecutor Michael Duck KC told the jury of seven men and five women that Walpole would frequently turn up 'in drink' at the bungalow where 'frail' Mr Brown lived with his 'bedbound' wife.
Jurors were told Mr Brown was well known in his village of Bulkington, Warwickshire, for running a workshop repairing vintage cars, but had recently been diagnosed with dementia.
The court heard the assaults took place last November after Walpole had embarked on a near all-day drinking session, starting before 9am when he purchased a bottle of vodka from a local convenience store.
Mr Duck said Walpole was 'drinking from a very early stage…and, in effect, continued throughout the day'.
The prosecutor said Walpole's 'very significant day of drinking' was punctuated by him attending a Coventry City football match.
He then spent two hours in a pub near his grandparents' home before arriving at their bungalow just after 8.30pm.
Walpole was let inside, but a short time later his grandfather emerged, waving at the camera.
Mr Duck said: 'What's plain is that he was gesturing to the camera.
'The prosecution say he was aware his daughter may see and it was a gesture, a desire for assistance.
'(Mr Brown) was a frail man struggling with dementia but it's plain, the prosecution say, that there was a problem. He wanted help.'
Mr Brown went back inside his property and four minutes later Walpole walked away from the address.
The court heard after leaving the scene Walpole also called his mother and boasted: 'I've hit your Papi', a statement Mr Duck said was 'important because it's the absolute truth'.
Warwick Crown Court heard he then headed to the Bulkington Working Men's Club.
Jurors were shown footage of drunken Walpole attacking working men's club member Dennis Hopson less than an hour after the attack on Mr Brown.
The footage showed Walpole approaching the drinker from behind and smashing a glass over the back of his head.
A barman who then attempted to remove Walpole from the premises was also allegedly assaulted.
Mr Duck told jurors that in relation to the alleged assault with the glass: 'There can be no suggestion he was acting in self-defence or anything of that sort'.
He said: 'These incidents took place on the same day as the attack (on Mr Brown), in fact within an hour of it.'
Mr Duck said Walpole 'carried out a vicious assault on his own grandfather' and showed 'no regret or contrition', even telling drinkers in the club that he had 'lamped' the pensioner.
Mr Duck told how minutes before the attack on Mr Brown, Walpole's mother had called 999 after becoming 'sufficiently concerned' by footage of her son acting aggressively outside her parents' home.
By the time officers attended, it is alleged Walpole had already carried out the attack and fled. Police bodycam footage showed Mr Brown at the door with clear facial injuries.
The court heard the pensioner was taken to hospital but over the following days the extent of his injuries became clear.
Mr Duck said the blows inflicted by Walpole caused an 'irreversible' bleed on the brain and Mr Brown died in the early hours of November 29 last year.
Mr Ducker said that when Walpole was later arrested he told officers to F*** Off. During interview he said he couldn't remember the incident with his grandfather. He was shown footage of the glass attack inside the working men's club but denied responsibility.
He then gave further no comment interviews.
Mr Duck said Mr Brown was struck more than once, suffering injuries to his face, neck and under his arms.
Walpole, Bulkington, denies Mr Brown's murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.
He has also pleaded not guilty to breaching a restraining order, assault by beating and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Mr Brown was described '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' following his death.
His family said in a statement that he was 'a true craftsman, renowned worldwide for his expertise and passion for his work'.
He was said to have built and restored 'some of the most iconic Jaguars, including the legendary XK series.
'His reputation in this industry was unmatched—John's attention to detail, his skill, and his dedication to excellence earned him respect and admiration across the globe.'
The trial continues.
