Life sentence for man who murdered a pensioner near Colchester
28 year old Leighton Snook has been sentenced to a minimum of 30 years
Last updated 12th Jan 2022
A man has been jailed for life for the murder of 83 year old Donald Ralph.
28 year old Leighton Snook was sentenced to at least 30 years for killing him at his home in Aldham.
Snook and his 17 year old accomplice went to the victim's home on December 28, 2020.
The pensioner was beaten and strangled before Snook and the teenager stole Donald's car and two guns, and drove to Hastings. Donald's niece found his body the day after the attack.
Snook was convicted of murder at Ipswich Crown Court in August 2021, while the boy, who couldn't be identified for legal reasons at that time, was found guilty of manslaughter but not guilty of murder.
At the sentencing hearing on Friday October 1st 2021, the judge lifted the reporting restrictions on the identity of the 17 year-old boy who can now be named as Tyler Love, of Darien Way, Braunstone, Leicester. He was jailed for eight years.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said:
“Leighton Snook and his teenage accomplice went to Donald Ralph’s house intent on stealing from him for their own gain.
“Their greed and selfish intentions have robbed Donald’s family and friends of someone who was much loved within his community.
“No sentence will be able to bring him back, but I hope this sentence represents justice for them.”
Following the conviction, Donald’s niece Tina said:
“Learning that a member of the family is responsible for murdering Don was a shock.
“The injuries he suffered and how he was killed are incomprehensible to me. He was loved and respected by the family.
“It is so hard to understand why anyone would have wanted to hurt him.
“His extended family all live locally and this has really had an impact on us all.
“Don was also an incredibly well-liked and respected member of the community.
“He would get his newspaper each day from the local petrol station, he went to the bookmakers frequently too, and he belonged to about four local fishing clubs.
“So many people have offered their condolences.
“I know our family and the community are keen to see justice for Don. He was very much loved by everyone and will be greatly missed.”