Statistician found dead in dosshouse turned to drink after accident, trial told
A statistician murdered in a “dosshouse” turned to alcohol and painkillers after a car accident left him unable to work, a court has heard.
Ian Connell, 39, is said to have strangled Donald ‘Prentice’ Patience, 45, following a row over money and then later returned to break into his property to take Mr Patience’s white labradoodle, Layla.
Police were called out to a “burglary in progress” at Mr Patience’s end terrace house in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, on August 22 after a postman saw Connell acting suspiciously.
When officers arrived Connell had Layla on a and had given him permission by phone to force entry because he needed his pet walking.
