Osbourne left school at the age of 15, and after trying out, but failing several jobs, he became a criminal, often earning money by robbing stores and warehouses. He once served six weeks in prison. Kennedy was on a diplomatic visit to the British capital, when, leaving a cinema with his wife and children, he was suddenly shot in the back by 19-year-old Osbourne. After arrested, Osbourne was interrogated by the police. He stated that he had seen "a rich fella, probably a shite tory with his pretty whore, coming out of a movie theatre", and thought about shooting and robbing him, not knowing about his identity. He stated that he had no political intentions whatsoever, and hadn't even planned to kill him, "just shoot the hell outta him".