'Killer took dog as victim lay dead

A BUSINESSMAN'S decomposing body was discovered by police after a postman saw an alleged burglar leaving the victim's home with his pet dog, a murder trial has heard.

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

The body of 45-year-old Donald Patience was found at the foot of the stairs of his home in Bury.

A pathologist later ruled that he had been strangled to death and could have died up to three days before, a jury at Manchester Crown Court heard. Prosecutors said that the police were called to the house after a postman had spotted a man climbing into the house, on Ainsworth Road in Radcliffe, through a window.

He re-emerged and saw the man with a labradoodle on a lead. The prosecution claims that the man is 39-year-old Ian Connell, who they allege is guilty of murdering Mr Patience, who was also known by his middle name 'Prentice. He denies murder and manslaughter.

Michael Hayton KC, prosecuting, said Mr Patience was an 'educated' man who had access to money' from property, the court heard.