A TEENAGER jointly charged with murdering a pensioner in his own home told the police he thought he was participating in a robbery and his victim “would only get a smack”.

A 16-year-old boy, from Leicester, who cannot be identified due to his age, has admitted burgling two guns from the home of Donald Ralph, 83, on December 28 last year.

Mr Ralph was found strangled to death at his Aldham home the following day, while his Volvo car was missing from his driveway.

Prosecutors allege Leighton Snook, 28, of no fixed abode, enlisted the help of the teenager to rob Mr Ralph in order to make some quick cash to clear a drugs debt.

It is alleged that while at the property, Snook strangled family friend Mr Ralph, while his teenage accomplice acted as a lookout and back-up. 

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Ipswich Crown Court heard the pair stole two guns before making their escape in Mr Ralph’s car.

Snook denies murder, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle insisting Mr Ralph allowed him to borrow his car “for a day or two”.

The teenager declined to give evidence in his defence and instead relied on his police interview. He denies murder and theft of a motor vehicle.

Judge Martyn Levett highlighted the interview in his legal guidance to the jury, pointing out the teenager said “he thought Mr Ralph would only get a smack and it was only going to be a robbery”.

Mr Levett said: “In interview, [the teenager] said ‘It was meant to be a robbery’.”

The court heard the teenager added he thought Mr Ralph’s door would open “and someone would just, you know, go ‘boom’,” before punching his fist into his hand.

Mr Levett added: “The prosecution alleges the purpose of the plan was to steal to make money, the scope of the plan or agreement also encompassed violence if necessary to achieve their purposes.

“The level of violence depends on the amount of resistance put up by Mr Ralph. The prosecution suggest the knife found in the car had been taken to the scene ready to be used to cause fear of violence or make sterile any resistance.

“This demonstrates the scope or gravity of the violence to be used if necessary.”

  • The trial continues.