A MUCH-LOVED pensioner was beaten and strangled to death in his own home by a burglar desperate for cash to clear a debt, a court heard.

Leighton Snook, 28, allegedly unleashed an attack on 83-year-old Donald Ralph at his home in Aldham, before stealing a rifle and a shotgun and making his getaway in his victim’s car.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Snook, desperate for money, targeted Mr Ralph as a means of making some quick cash.

A jury were told he enlisted the help of a 16-year-old boy, from Leicester, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Opening the case this morning, prosecutor Simon Spence QC said Mr Ralph lived a busy and active life “despite his advanced years and the fact he was hard of hearing.”

Mr Spence said: “He enjoyed country pursuits such as shooting and fishing and did odd jobs around the locality for neighbours and friends.

“He was, it seems, a much-liked and popular member of the local community.”

The court heard Mr Ralph held a certificate allowing him to possess shotguns and rifles, with Mr Spence telling the jury he owned two of each at the time of his death.

The jury were told Snook was related to Mr Ralph “by step-marriage”, and that Mr Ralph had talked of receiving a call from Snook requesting money to clear a £6,000 to £8,000 drug debt.

Mr Spence said: “Mr Snook was desperate for money and that, we say, is the motive for murder.”

He said Snook and the teenager booked a taxi with a Colchester firm on the afternoon of December 28 last year.

The prosecution say CCTV footage shows Snook and the teenager getting into a cab in Mersea Road, Colchester, and walking along Halstead Road, Eight Ash Green, in the direction of Mr Ralph’s house.

Mr Spence said: “During the course of their time at that address, the elderly Mr Ralph was beaten until he bled and he was then strangled to death.

“His landline telephone was ripped out of its socket in the wall to prevent any calls being made.”

Mr Spence said one shotgun and one rifle was taken, before the pair “made their escape” in Mr Ralph’s Volvo.

The court heard the pair spent the night at a friend’s home in Colchester, before travelling together in the Volvo to Hastings the following day.

The teenager was arrested on December 29 after he travelled back to Colchester.

The court heard his story changed in police interview as more evidence came to light.

Snook was arrested in Colchester on January 1 this year, giving a short prepared statement to the police before answering “no comment” to all questions asked.

Mr Spence said: “The two defendants, the prosecution say, were clearly known to each other and during the course of December at least were in regular contact by mobile phone.”

The jury will be presented with evidence showing calls and text messages made through the teenager’s phone.

Snook’s mobile phone has never been recovered.

Snook, of no fixed address, denies murder, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

His teenage co-defendant denies murder and theft of a motor vehicle, but has admitted one charge of burglary.

  • The trial continues.