A man accused of murdering a disabled man told paramedics the victim had been dead for 'about 12 days', a court has heard. Jason Trundle, 52, is on trial at Stafford Crown Court for the murder of Leon Pratt, 64, whose decomposing body was found wrapped in a duvet at his home in Telford, Shropshire, on 26 October.
Prosecutor Richard Barraclough KC told the jury that Trundle had moved in with Mr Pratt after meeting on social media, becoming his 'unofficial carer'. Neighbours called emergency services after not seeing Mr Pratt since the end of September. Paramedics reported a 'putrid smell like rotting flesh' coming from the property.
Body-worn video footage showed Trundle pointing to a closed bedroom door and telling paramedics Mr Pratt had been dead for 12 days. He refused to answer further questions, saying he found him dead on the bed, and added: 'And no, before you ask, I didn't kill him.' When asked why he did not report the death, he replied: 'I've got nowhere else to go.'
A post-mortem examination revealed multiple injuries, including fractured ribs and neck fractures 'most probably caused by manual strangulation'. Mr Barraclough said considerable force would have been required. Trundle denies murder but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, preventing a lawful burial, and fraud by false representation for using Mr Pratt's bank card after his death.
The trial continues.
