Disabled man brutally killed by his carer – physique left to rot for 12 days | UK | News | EUROtoday

A disabled man was discovered lifeless after being brutally murdered by his carer. Jason Trundle, 52, has been jailed for 19 years after killing Leon Pratt and leaving his physique to rot for 12 days.

Emergency companies rushed to a property in Telford, Shropshire, on October 26, 2024 after neighbours reported not seeing the disabled 64-year-old for weeks. Paramedics arrived on the scene to seek out Mr Pratt wrapped in a quilt and decomposing on his mattress.

West Mercia Police have launched bodycam footage which exhibits the medics arriving on the house. One requested his colleague: “Can you smell that?” The paramedics entered the house to seek out Trundle who pointed at a closed bed room door.

The 52-year-old mentioned: “In there. He’s been dead about 12 days.” After being requested how he had discovered him, Trundle replied: “I’m not going to comment on that.” He then added: “I didn’t kill him. He just died.”

The paramedics then requested him if he had informed anybody concerning the dying. Trundle replied “nope” earlier than including: “Nobody knows I’m here, I don’t have any money, I’ve gotta look after that dog. So where am I gonna go and what am I gonna do?”

Police officers shortly arrived and arrested Trundle however he nonetheless refused to reply any questions. A publish mortem revealed that Mr Pratt had suffered important accidents to his neck, again and ribs, per strangulation.

Trundle was quickly charged together with his homicide however denied the allegations. He admitted manslaughter and stood trial at Stafford Crown Court, the place the jury heard Mr Pratt’s accidents would have required “considerable force” to inflict.

Trundle admitted stopping a lawful burial in addition to fraud by false illustration. The court docket heard how he used Mr Pratt’s financial institution card in a neighborhood store whereas he was lifeless at house.

He was convicted of homicide by jurors and jailed for all times, with a minimal time period of 19 years, at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (April 10).

Detective Inspector Joanne Delahay, of West Mercia Police, mentioned: “Trundle’s act of violence and the weeks of deceit that followed, which denied Leon and his family the opportunity to lay him to rest respectfully, is deplorable.

“Leon clearly trusted Jason together with his life, and he took that away from him. We welcome the choice made by the jury and grateful Leon’s household solely needed to wait one other day for Trundle to be sentenced. I hope it brings some closure to Leon’s household and those who knew him.”

The court heard how Trundle and Mr Pratt met on social media about a year and a half before the murder. Trundle had nowhere to live at the time so moved in to Mr Pratt’s home on the promise he would provide day-to-day care.

Mr Pratt was disabled in a wheelchair with several health conditions. Richard Barraclough KC, prosecuting, described Trundle as his “unofficial carer”.

Their neighbours in Downemeade called 999 after growing concerned they had not seen Mr Pratt in weeks. Emergency services arrived at the scene at around 7.30pm before Trundle was arrested an hour later.

Mr Barraclough said paramedics “might odor one thing putrid like rotting flesh coming from the property”. They have been proven the physique by Trundle previous to his arrest.