Man admits burgling 94-year-old's Wolverhampton home but denies his murder

Paul Topham pleaded guilty to stealing items from Harold Monk's home in Inglewood Avenue, Bradmore on 3 October

Author: Alice Smith / Stephanie WarehamPublished 5th Nov 2024

A man has admitted burgling a 94-year-old's home but has denied his murder.

Appearing in court on Tuesday, Paul Topham, 45, pleaded guilty to stealing a key fob, glasses, enamel badges and paperwork from Harold Monk's home in Inglewood Avenue, Bradmore, Wolverhampton, on October 3.

He denied a charge of murdering Mr Monk, who died in hospital the day after the burglary.

West Midlands Police earlier stated officers had been called to the property in the early hours of October 3 following reports of a burglary and found Mr Monk seriously injured.

A man was arrested there a short time later.

The public gallery at Wolverhampton Crown Court was full as Topham, whose address was previously given in court documents as Palmerston Road in Birmingham, entered his pleas.

Addressing Topham in the dock, Judge Michael Chambers KC said: "Your case is being adjourned for trial, the precise date still needs to be fixed.

"If you choose not to attend your trial, it may proceed in your absence."

The trial is expected to last at least five days.

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