'He's there, he's been dead for about 12 days': Telford murder accused's comment to paramedics
A paramedic has told a murder trial of the "putrid" and "fishy" smell coming from a Telford home where a disabled man was discovered dead.
Worcester Crown Court was played body-worn footage from paramedics when they attended the home of Leon Pratt, 64, in Downemead, Hollinswood, Telford, after neighbours raised concerns.
Jason Trundle, 52, who was living with Mr Pratt as his effective carer, is on trial accused of murdering the man who took him in while he was homeless.
Trundle denies murder but has admitted charges of preventing a lawful burial and fraud.
Mr Pratt, who was disabled, was found dead on October 26, 2024. The court had previously heard his body was decomposed and there were "maggots everywhere".
Richard Barraclough KC, prosecuting, has also told the court that Mr Pratt had suffered a number of fractures to his ribs, throat and neck.
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.
Giving evidence paramedic Kathryn Harding told of the strong smell as her and her colleague approached the property.
She said: "It was a very distinct smell you could smell walking up the path. It was quite putrid. I would describe it as a fishy smell."
Asked by Mr Barraclough about the smell Ms Harding agreed it smelled like decomposition.
The court was played Ms Harding's body-worn footage from the incident.
When the paramedics were let into the house Trundle told them Mr Pratt had been dead for around 12 days but did not want to answer questions about how he had died.
Ms Harding said: "I recall that his responses included "no comment" or "I don't wish to answer that", or words to that effect."
Asked if he revealed why he had not called for help she said: "He shared that he was worried he would not have anywhere else to live."
On the footage Trundle told the paramedics: "He's there. He's been dead about 12 days."
When asked what happened, he said: "He died."
During the conversation Trundle told paramedics "No one knows I am here, I don't have any money."
Asked if he saw Mr Pratt die, Mr Trundle said: "I am not going to comment on that."
He subsequenlty added: "I didn't kill him."
Paramedics had checked the room and found Mr Pratt in a state of advanced decomposition - with maggots described as eating his flesh.
The police were called and while awaiting their arrival Ms Harding's colleague Byron Crump asked "how exactly did you find him?".
Trundle responded saying: "I am not going to answer any questions."
He also again said he would have no where else to live, saying: "I've got nowhere else to go, I've got nothing."
As paramedics continued to ask questions awaiting the arrival of the police Trundle said: "When did paramedics become coppers?"
He then told the paramedics how he had worked as an emergency medical technician at RAF Boscombe Down, and had to respond to a Harrier crash at the base.
The trial continues.