Man sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering ‘much-loved son, brother and father’

Ian Gary Connell (01/08/1984), of no fixed abode has been sentenced today (Wednesday 6 March 2024) at Manchester Crown Court to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years.

On Tuesday 22 August 2023, officers were called to an address on Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe in Bury, to reports of a burglary.

On searching the address, police found Donald ‘Prentice’ Patience deceased in the property.

On the morning of Tuesday 22 August 2023, a witness had his attention drawn to the rear of a property on Ainsworth Road after seeing a male climbing into the property through a window, hearing crunching and cracking noises leading him to suspect the male was breaking in and so phoned 999.

The man disappeared inside the address before re-appearing out of the back garden with a white dog. Patrols attended the scene and located a male matching the description given of the intruder.

Connell was detained and said he knew Donald, that he had phoned and asked him to walk his dog for him as he was in Scotland. 

Connell explained that his key snapped in the back door, so Donald told him over the phone to break in, which is why he smashed the window.

Officers entered the property where they sadly found the body of Donald, which is believed to have been there for two days.

GMP subsequently launched a formal murder investigation.

During the investigation, officers discovered that Donald was captured on CCTV walking his dog on Ainsworth Road on Saturday 19 August 2023 taking his usual route, as described by neighbours and shown on CCTV in the days preceding his death.

This was the last known sighting of Donald on CCTV and an hour later, Connell is captured on the same camera walking Donald’s dog.

Information was passed to an officer that Connell, during a phone conversation, had admitted the killing. 

Donald’s loved ones described him as “a much-loved son, brother and father and will be sorely missed by many, affectionately known as Prentice.”

Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith of GMP’s Major Incident Team said: “Greater Manchester Police, and specifically my investigation team, would like to pass on our condolences to Mr Patience's loved ones.

"This was a complex investigation which commenced as a response to a report of a burglary. Police officers from Bury district attended quickly and detained Ian Connell in the street whilst further enquiries were made.

"During those enquiries they sadly found the body of Mr Patience, placed inside a duvet cover in his home address. As a result of this Connell was then further arrested on suspicion of murder and the investigation was passed to the Major Incident Team.

"My team have worked incredibly hard over the past five months to bring Ian Connell to Justice.

"I want to thank the members of the public who assisted our investigation,  providing vital information that ensured we were able to secure a murder charge and subsequent conviction against Connell.

"I hope today’s sentencing goes some way to giving Mr Patience’s friends and family some comfort knowing his killer is behind bars.”