Grandson denies 'renowned' Jaguar expert's murder

A man has denied murdering his grandfather, a "world-renowned" Jaguar restoration expert, who died following an alleged assault.

John Brown, 82, died in hospital on 29 November, 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, Bulkington, pleaded not guilty to Mr Brown's murder.

He also pleaded not guilty to breaching a restraining order on 23 November, and assault by beating and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The latter was 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 7 July.

She told the defendant he must put together a defence statement before his trial.

"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," she said.

"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 Leaping Cats, a company that built and restored Jaguars, including the XK series.

His family said 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."

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