A “DOGNAPPER” strangled a homeowner to death then left him to rot at the bottom of the stairs before stealing his labradoodle, a court has heard.
Ian Connell, 39, is accused of breaking into Donald Patience’s home and murdering the 45-year-old sometime from August 19 onwards last year.
Cops found Mr Patience’s body under a duvet cover at the bottom of the stairs at the home in Radcliffe near Manchester on August 22.
They had scrambled to the end terrace house after a postman spotted a male figure climbing through its rear window.
The postman also heard a noise like someone trying to force entry through the window.
The same man allegedly emerged from the garden with a “medium-sized, fluffy” white dog on a lead, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Bolton man Ian Connell denies the murder of Mr Patience – whom he said he loved “like a brother”.
He has also pleaded not guilty to an alternative count of manslaughter.
Opening the prosecution case today, Michael Hayton KC said Patience was likely “strangled to death” following an argument over money.
Hayton told jurors: “Donald Patience was a man who had access to money.
“He previously worked, had businesses, and had family money from property.
“It is right that because of his access to money there were people who wished to prey upon his good nature, borrow money from him.
“Maybe some of those loans would be paid with interest – but the Crown say his financial position is of significance.
“The Crown say it is the reason, in all probability, that he was found deceased and decomposing at the foot of his own stairs by a police officer following a report of a burglary at the property.
“The only possible explanation for Mr Patience’s death is that pressure was applied to his neck until he was dead.
“He was strangled to death.
“The most likely explanation is that it followed an argument of some sort about money.
“Mr Patience’s access to money and also perhaps his good nature led to others taking advantage of him, abusing his generosity and using his access to funds.
Hayton added: “The Crown say one such person who sought to take advantage in this way was Ian Connell.
“Money was central to many of the communications between the two men in the lead up to Mr Patience’s death.
“The Crown does not have to prove a motive, but we say a reasonable conclusion from the evidence is that money was part of what happened in Ashworth Road last year.”
The trial continues.
