Dognapper who strangled father to demise discovered responsible of homicide
- Ian Connell, 39, killed Donald Patience, 45, in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester
A dognapper who strangled a person to demise earlier than breaking into the decomposing sufferer’s house to take his labradoodle has been discovered responsible of homicide.
Ian Connell, 39, killed Donald Patience, 45, in a property in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, final August.
Mr Patience’s physique was solely found when police have been known as to a suspected housebreaking on the home, after Connell was seen strolling away along with his sufferer’s pet canine.
A postman known as 999 on the morning of August 22 when he noticed a male determine climbing by means of a rear window of the property in Ashworth Road and heard a noise like somebody making an attempt to drive entry.
The similar man later emerged from the again backyard with a ‘medium-sized, fluffy’ white canine on a lead – believed to be the sufferer’s beloved canine Layla.
Ian Connell, 39, now faces a life sentence after the decision at Manchester Crown Court, which adopted a 10-day trial
The physique of Donald Patience, 45, (pictured) was found beneath a quilt cowl on the backside of his stairs by police who responded to studies of a housebreaking on the finish terrace home
Police have been known as to studies of burglars making an attempt to steal a labradoodle from the house. Pictured are labradoodle puppies posted on Donald’s Facebook
Mr Patience’s physique was solely found when police have been known as to a suspected housebreaking on the home, after Connell was seen strolling away along with his sufferer’s pet canine
The 45-year-old’s physique was discovered on the backside of the steps by police, beneath a quilt cowl, after Connell had tried to maneuver him upstairs.
A pathologist mentioned it was probably that Mr Patience, who was described as a ‘much-loved son, brother and father’, had died two days earlier than officers finally found his physique.
Connell, who advised police that he ‘cherished Mr Patience like a father’, denied homicide however was discovered responsible following a trial at Manchester Crown Court.
After jurors had left courtroom, Connell advised the choose: ‘I’m not responsible of this offence, Your Honour.’
Mr Patience was initially from Alness, Scotland however moved to Greater Manchester for work.
He later turned to alcohol and painkillers after a automotive accident in 2015 left him unable to work.
Connell, a heroin and crack cocaine addict, mentioned he turned pleasant with Mr Patience and would perform work for him.
He described Mr Patience as his ‘boss’, and mentioned he would give him cash.
But prosecutors mentioned that folks together with Connell would ‘prey upon’ Mr Patience’s ‘good nature’ as a result of he had entry to ‘household cash’ from property.
They argued that Connell had killed Mr Patience following a row over cash, after he had stopped giving him money.
Prosecutor Michael Hayton KC advised jurors: ‘Mr Patience was starting to lose endurance with Mr Connell, and was not as maybe as receptive to requests for funds as he had [been] up to now.
Neighbours mentioned that he was final seen three days earlier than he was discovered lifeless
A postman known as 999 on the morning of August 22 final yr when he noticed a male determine climbing by means of a rear window of the property in Ashworth Road
Forensics on the scene of the homicide
‘The Crown say that is the probably purpose that immediately Mr Patience is not with us.’
Mr Patience’s driving licence and library card have been in Connell’s pockets when he was searched by police.
When questioned on the scene, Connell initially claimed that Mr Patience was in Scotland.
He advised an officer that the canine belonged to his ‘mate Donald, who he labored for’.
Connell claimed that he had spoken with Mr Patience, and that he had ‘advised him to interrupt in’ after his key had snapped after making an attempt to realize entry to the property to stroll the canine.
At trial, Connell claimed that he’d woken up in Mr Patience’s house after taking medicine, to seek out him lifeless, mendacity on a settee.
Jurors heard that Connell had ‘confessed’ to the killing on August 20 throughout a telephone name with an affiliate.
A witness who overheard the decision mentioned he heard the person Connell was talking to ask him: ‘You assume you killed your boss?’ A jury rejected Connell’s case and located him responsible.
Connell from Bolton, is because of be sentenced on March 6.
The labradoodle – puppies of which might promote for between £700 to £1,500 – is now being sorted by a related authority, Greater Manchester Police mentioned.
MailOnline additionally revealed that the father-of-three had been the sufferer of a earlier break-in months earlier, which noticed thieves ransacking his humble end-of-terrace home in Radcliffe, Manchester.
His ex-wife Kirsty (pictured right here with Mr Patience), with whom he shared three youngsters, additionally paid tribute, hailing him an ‘unimaginable man’
The father’s demise has left his household heartbroken. Mr Patience is pictured with three kids in one of many final pictures he shared earlier than his demise
Mr Patience – who was hailed an ‘unimaginable’ father by his heartbroken household – had returned house final December to seek out a number of televisions, a baby’s bike and his brother’s automotive had been taken.
The particulars have been revealed in a heartbreaking word by Mr Patience despatched to his neighbours in January which learn: ‘I hope you had Christmas and New Year.
‘I lately returned to my home to seek out all my stuff had been stolen. It included a number of TVs, my kid’s pit, bike, gaming chair, hover and my brother’s automotive, a gray Mercedes C220 amongst different issues.
‘The automotive was used to take away gadgets. This occurred spherical concerning the begin of November and the home was locked from the within so I believe it was a visitor.
‘I heard a woman and two males have been seen eradicating gadgets however may very well be misinformed. It would most likely appear to be I used to be shifting out and I used to be questioning if anybody noticed something?’
Police confirmed the report, including that ‘sadly no suspect was recognized after conducting a variety of enquiries’.
A spokesman advised MailOnline: ‘Detectives are persevering with to analyze the demise of Donald Patience which incorporates studies made to police beforehand.’
Mr Patience’s family members mentioned he was ‘a a lot cherished son, brother and father’ who ‘shall be sorely missed by many’.
His ex-wife Kirsty, with whom he shared three youngsters, additionally paid tribute, hailing him an ‘unimaginable man’ who ‘adored his youngsters’.
‘This breaks my coronary heart to have to write down this,’ she wrote on social media. ‘As quite a lot of you might have already seen, this week we misplaced an especially unimaginable man.
‘Despite no matter occurred between us, Prentice was an incredible father and adored his youngsters.
‘We are all actually heartbroken at this information and we’re all struggling to return to phrases along with his demise.’
