Man admits to murdering Accrington pensioner Bill Howard
Last updated 13th Jan 2022
A man has admitted to murdering pensioner Bill Howard in Accrington.
The 79-year-old was found on St James Street in the town with stab wounds to his chest and with serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination established the cause of death to be fatal head and chest injuries.
It happened back in August and John Swannack was charged the following month.
In a tribute, Mr Howard's brother, Jack, said:
“Bill was a quiet, lovely man who would not hurt a fly, Bill lived a quiet life and had very few friends. Bill was my brother and he was also my best friend.
"Losing Bill in these tragic circumstances is like losing my right arm. We have been together for nearly eighty years and now I have lost him for ever.”
Swannack. who is 59 and of St Leger Court, Accrington, appeared at Preston Crown court yesterday (January 12th) where he also pleaded guilty to two thefts and three frauds relating to other vulnerable people.
A 55-year-old man from Accrington and a 56-year-old man, also arrested on suspicion of murder, have since been released no further action.
Swannack will be sentenced at the same court on March 15.