Teenager charged with pensioner murder

Neighbours pay tribute to strangled 83-year-old as boy, 16, and older man are accused of the killing

TWO suspects – one of them a 16-yearold boy – have been charged with the murder of a pensioner who was strangled at his home.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Leighton Snook, 28, are due to appear at Colchester magistrates’ court today accused of killing Donald Ralph, 83.

The victim’s body was found at his home in the village of Aldham, near Colchester, Essex, last Tuesday.

Essex Police said a post-mortem examination found he died from strangulation.

Mr Snook, of no fixed address, and the 16-year-old, from Leicester, have both been charged with murder and theft of a motor vehicle, while Mr Snook also faces a charge of possession of an offensive weapon.

Essex Police had previously said Mr Ralph’s car, a blue Volvo V50 which was stolen from outside his home, was later found in Hastings, East Sussex.

Two men, aged 30 and 39, and a 2 1 - year- ol d woman, have been released on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Mr Ralph’s family have described him as a man who loved being in the countryside and was “very young at heart”.

His niece, Tina Ralph, said: “He was a man who loved all things countryside, particularly fishing and the Norfolk Broads, as well as being an avid bird lover.

“He loved horse racing and spent many a happy Saturday having a little flutter.

“Don was a unique character, who will be much missed by his wide circle of friends, and all his family.”

Retired farm worker Mr Ralph is believed to have lived alone at the £450,000 house in the idyllic Essex village for at least 40 years. A neighbour who had become concerned about him found Mr Ralph’s body in his home at around 1pm on Tuesday and raised the alarm.

A neighbour said: “He was the sweetest man and had a heart of gold.”

Another said today: “I l ast saw him before Christmas when he was going out in his car and waved to say hello as usual. He was just a good old boy.

“When I went to take some stuff to my potting shed at around 7am [Tuesday], I saw his light was on which was very unusual. It registered in my head that Don was up early.”

A woman who lives nearby said: “He was quite a keen countryman and was keen on shooting. He used to do rough shooting on local land.

“I wouldn’t say he was a loner, but he was always alone. It is quite a shock to hear what has happened

“We used to say hello to each other when he walked past my house and I was in my garden. He also used to have a spaniel dog.”

Mr Ralph is thought to have been married many years ago and had no children.

‘Don was a unique character, who will be much missed by his wide circle of friends, and all his family’