A callous drug addict who murdered his friend before returning to his house to steal his labradoodle has been jailed for a minimum of 19 years
Ian Connell, 39, strangled Donald Prentice Patience, 45, after he refused to give him more money to feed his heroin and crack cocaine habit.
The body of Mr Patience, known to family and friends as Prent, was discovered in a duvet cover at the bottom of his stairs after police were called to reports of a burglary.
A postman dialled 999 when he saw a man climb through a window of the property in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, on August 22 last year.
Connell was found nearby with Mr Patience’s labradoodle, Layla. Prosecutor Michael Hayton KC told Manchester Crown Court Connell preyed upon Mr Patience – who had cash from family property – and received thousands of pounds. Sentencing Connell to life, Mrs Justice Ellenbogen told him: “You had a habit which you had no legitimate means of funding.”
The Scottish victim had been a statistician but had a breakdown.
After a car accident he began to drink more, became addicted to painkillers and his marriage collapsed.
The judge told Connell: “Having met Donald Patience, you found a source of funding and exploited his generosity and loneliness.
“You demonstrated during your trial you are capable of a flash of temper. Having come to rely upon Mr Patience’s funding of your addiction, you had become increasingly angry and frustrated at his unwillingness to lend you money.
“You strangled him in a fit of rage.
“In the last few days of his life you showed a callous disregard for his vulnerability, welfare and needs. He had become somewhat reclusive and had been battling his own demons.
“He was an educated and talented man whose desire for company and friendship you shamelessly took advantage of, prioritising your own insatiable need for your next fix. You have shown no remorse.”
For the family Mr Patience’s sister-in-law Julie Patience told the court: “His three children are heartbroken”.
She added he was “one of the most kindest and generous people I know” but “this kindness ended in tragedy”.
