'It is not something we could get involved with': Murder trial hears police told concerned Telford residents to call ambulance about missing neighbour
Police told concerned residents to ring the ambulance service over their worries about their missing neighbour, a murder trial has heard.
Worcester Crown Court was played a 101 call from a resident of Downemead, Hollinswood, Telford, as they became increasingly worried about their neighbour, Leon Pratt.
Mr Pratt, who was 64 and a disabled wheelchair user, was discovered dead at his home by paramedics on October 26, 2024, having not been seen for weeks.
Jason Trundle, formerly a homeless man who was invited to live with Mr Pratt as his 'carer', is currently on trial accused of his murder.
Trundle, 52, denies the charge of murder, but has previously admitted charges of fraud and preventing a lawful burial.
The court earlier heard that Trundle has also admitted a charge of manslaughter, but the plea has not been accepted by the prosecution.
The trial has heard that when paramedics attended Mr Pratt's property, Trundle told them he had been dead for 12 days - but denied killing him.
Richard Barraclough KC, prosecuting, said that a post-mortem examination revealed a number of fractures to Mr Pratt's ribs and to his throat and neck.
Mr Barraclough told the jury the damage to the ribs could have been caused by a fall from a standing height, or a "forceful blow to the torso".
The court heard that the neck fractures were "most likely caused by manual neck strangulation".
He added: "This particular type of fracture is associated with strangulation.
"Whatever it is, considerable force is required to cause these injuries."
The trial has heard how Trundle told one of Mr Pratt's neighbours he had placed Mr Pratt in a headlock after he had hit his dog, and the defendant, with a walking stick.
The court has also heard evidence from neighbour Peter Stanton.
Mr Stanton had been 'nominated' by neighbours to call the emergency services on October 26 after they met and discussed their concerns that Mr Pratt had not been seen for around two weeks.
Mr Stanton's call to the 101 non-emergency police number was played to the court.
In it he speaks of their concern that Mr Pratt had been 'knocked off' by Trundle, and worries about the safety of any ambulance crews sent to the property.
As the call progresses Mr Stanton was advised to call the ambulance service after being told that because there was "no evidence to suggest something untoward" "it is not something we could get involved with".
After call was answered Mr Stanton said: "We are concerned, all the neighbours are concerned about Leon at number 22.
He added: "He's got a carer bloke called Jason and he's telling different stories to different people that he's gone away and he's asleep and this sort of thing."
Mr Stanton said they were worried that "something has happened to Leon".
He told the call handler: "There is something going on. I don't know what, whether he's knocked the bloke off or whatever, I don't know."
Mr Stanton was asked if he had contacted the ambulance service, but responded by saying he was worried about the potential safety of paramedics.
He said: "I am concerned if the ambulance people go there, this bloke gets a bit... attacks them... I don't know."
He added: "I would be concerned if ambulance people went there, especially if it was a young woman, he could turn vicious."
Mr Stanton is then advised to contact the ambulance service "and see if they can get a check in" or "go round and ask to speak to him".
The handler added: "There is no evidence to suggest something untoward at the moment so it is not something we could get involved with."
The trial continues.