Man who attacked 94-year-old in his Wolverhampton home convicted of murder
A neighbour spotted that Harold Monk was being attacked in his flat in Inglewood Avenue in the middle of the night and alerted the emergency services
A man who attacked a great-grandfather as he burgled the 94-year-old’s Wolverhampton home has been convicted of murder.
A neighbour spotted that Harold Monk was being attacked in his flat in Inglewood Avenue in the middle of the night and alerted the emergency services.
Officers arrested the attacker, Paul Topham, from off the roof.
Topham, wearing a balaclava and carrying a rucksack, had got inside Mr Monk's home as his victim slept in the early hours of 3rd October last year.
The 45-year-old started to make an untidy search of the flat but Mr Monk woke and when he confronted the intruder, Topham held down Mr Monk and repeatedly beat him.
Mr Monk suffered fractures to his face, skull, spine and ribs in the attack and despite the efforts of medics, he died the following day in hospital with his family at his bedside.
Topham, of Palmerston Road, Birmingham, denied murder, but after a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, a jury today convicted him of Mr Monk's murder.
He will be sentenced on 29th August.
Speaking in tribute, on behalf of Mr Monk's family, his daughter Patricia said:
"Harold, my dad, was a wonderful human being who was loved dearly by his family and we think about him with sadness every day.
"We miss his quirky sense of humour and his huge presence. We miss witnessing the fulfilment he found in everyday life even at 94 years old and he loved to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow."
Detective Inspector Phil Poole, from our Homicide Unit, said:
"Throughout this investigation our thoughts have been with Mr Monk's family and we dearly hope that this conviction can ease some of the pain and sadness which they continue to endure.
"Mr Monk had every right to be safe in his own home and this was cruelly shattered by an appalling attack which stole a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather from his loving family.
"Our teams worked tirelessly to bring that attacker before the courts and he has now been convicted of this brutal murder."