Neighbour of 'murdered' Telford man shares warm memories of man who 'would do anything for you'
A Telford man allegedly murdered and left for days in his own home was "very intelligent" and "would do anything for you", a neighbour told a court.
Worcester Crown Court has been hearing from witnesses in the trial of Jason Trundle.
Trundle, 52, of no fixed abode, is accused of murdering Leon Pratt, who was discovered dead at his home in Downemead, Hollinswood, Telford, on October 26, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge, but he has admitted counts of fraud and preventing a legal burial.
The trial has heard that Trundle was homeless before he had been invited to live with Mr Pratt, who had health difficulties and disabilities, effectively becoming his carer.
The court was told that paramedics had attended Mr Pratt's home after concerned neighbours called the emergency services, having not seen him for several weeks.
When Trundle let paramedics in he told them Mr Pratt was in the bedroom, and had been dead for 12 days.
The court heard Mr Pratt's body was found on his bed with "maggots everywhere".
Trundle told paramedics he had not killed Mr Pratt, but when asked by police how he had died responded: "Next question."
Richard Barraclough, prosecuting, said medical examinations of Mr Pratt's body had shown he suffered injuries to his ribs and neck.
The court heard that the neck fractures were "most likely caused by manual neck strangulation".
Mr Barraclough added: "This particular type of fracture is associated with strangulation.
"Whatever it is, considerable force is required to cause these injuries."
Mr Pratt's neighbour Judith Irish has given evidence in the trial and described Mr Pratt as an "intelligent man" who was "very chatty".
She told the court the neighbours in the area "looked out for each other" and how Mr Pratt was a "very kind" man who "would do anything for you".
She said: "He would come over and ask 'can I borrow a safety pin'. I would say yes and then a few days later he would bring a whole pack over instead of returning one."
Asked if she was concerned when Trundle moved in with Mr Pratt, she said: "I was a little bit uneasy because it was someone we had not seen before and I said to Ian [her husband] I hope it is not someone who was going to take advantage of him, because you hear of these things."
Mrs Irish recounted a visit to the nearby J D Wetherspoon pub on September 21, the month before Mr Pratt died.
The court was told several neighbours had been invited for a drink by the family of a fellow neighbour who had recently died.
The family had wanted to thank people for supporting her.
The event was attended by several of the neighbours, including Mr Pratt, who sat next to Mrs Irish, and Trundle.
She explained that following the meeting Mr Pratt had insisted he and Trundle walk her home.
She said: "He said 'you're not walking home on your own so we will come with you'."
She said the journey back had been the last time she saw or spoke to Mr Pratt.
Mrs Irish said she and her husband had seen Trundle walking Mr Pratt's dog Jess, to Telford Town Park on October 4, but they were alone.
She told Mr Barraclough she "found it odd" he was alone, as he and Mr Pratt were "usually together".
Asked if she was concerned at not seeing Mr Pratt she said: "After the first week I kept thinking there was something not right. As time went on I said it was very strange."
She added that they had not gone out shopping as usual on a Thursday and she and her husband had noted there were no lights on when walking past the home at night.
She said: "Ian said to me 'perhaps they have gone on holiday' and I said they would have taken their car because he used it to put his mobility scooter in."
Asked about Mr Pratt's character she added: "He just came across as knowing a lot of things and was very intelligent, he would not be made a fool of."
Mrs Irish was cross examined by defence barrister Gurdeep Garcha KC who asked if there was anything to trigger alarm in the weeks leading up to Mr Pratt's discovery.
She replied: "Not until the end of the three weeks."
She added: "In hindsight I would say yes but at the time it was just a niggling feeling something was not right."
The trial continues.