Trial date fixed for man with Hartlepool ties accused of murdering pensioner in his own home in Essex

A man with links to Hartlepool is set to go on trial later this year accused of murdering a pensioner who was strangled in his own home.
By Mark Payne
Published 12th Feb 2021, 13:02 BST
Updated 12th Feb 2021, 13:07 BST
Donald. Ralph, 83, was found dead at his home in Aldham near Colchester, Essex, on December 29.Donald. Ralph, 83, was found dead at his home in Aldham near Colchester, Essex, on December 29.
Donald. Ralph, 83, was found dead at his home in Aldham near Colchester, Essex, on December 29.

Leighton Snook, 28, of no fixed address, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, have been charged with the murder of Donald Ralph, aged 83.

He was found dead at his home in Aldham village near Colchester, Essex, shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, December 29.

A post-mortem found that he died from strangulation.

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Snook and the youth appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 4.

A plea hearing is due to take place at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday, March 23, with a provisional trial date set for June 1.

The trial is expected to take three to four weeks.

Snook and the 16-year-old from Leicester have both been charged with murder and theft of a motor vehicle, while Snook also faces a charge of possession of an offensive weapon.

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