Drug addict jailed for at least 19 years after murdering ‘kind’ father-of-three

A drug addict who “shamelessly exploited” the generosity of a father-of-three has been jailed for a minimum of 19 years for his murder.

Ian Connell, 39, strangled Donald ‘Prentice’ Patience, 45, in a “fit of rage” after his victim refused to give him more money to feed his heroin and crack cocaine habit.

The decomposing body of Mr Patience, known to family and friends as Prent, was discovered inside a duvet cover at the bottom of his stairs after police were called to reports of a burglary at his home in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester.

A postman dialled 999 on the morning of August 22 last year when he saw a man climb through the rear kitchen window of the end terrace property in Ainsworth Road.

When police arrived soon afterwards, Connell was nearby with Mr Patience’s white labradoodle, Layla, on a lead.

Homeless Connell had locked himself out but lied to officers that his “dear friend” was in Scotland and had given him permission to break into his property so he could walk the dog, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Jurors were told by a pathologist that Mr Patience was probably strangled on August 20 and sufficient force was used to fracture both sides of his larynx.