An unofficial carer has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 19 years for the murder of a disabled man whose body he concealed for up to a month.
Jason Trundle, 52, was jailed after West Mercia Police released video footage from his trial, showing him telling paramedics that Leon Pratt, 64, had "been dead for about 12 days".
Mr Pratt’s decomposing body was discovered on a bed at his home in Telford, Shropshire, on 26 October 2024 after concerned neighbours alerted emergency services.
The court heard that Trundle, who had no fixed address, moved in with Mr Pratt, who had several health conditions and used a wheelchair, after they met on social media.
Trundle was expected to provide day-to-day care for Mr Pratt at his residence in Downemead, Hollinswood.
Trundle, who admitted manslaughter but was found guilty of murder, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Friday.
In a statement after the sentencing, West Mercia Police said Trundle was initially bailed but was charged with murder after a post-mortem examination found Mr Pratt had suffered significant injuries to his back, ribs and neck.
Mr Pratt’s last phone activity was on September 27 2024, the same day his car was last used, officers said.
Trundle was also handed a 30-month sentence for preventing a lawful burial and nine months for fraud, both to run concurrently with his sentence for murder.
Commenting after the case, Detective Inspector Joanne Delahay said: “Jason Trundle’s act of violence and the weeks of deceit that followed, which denied Leon and his family the opportunity to lay him to rest respectfully, is deplorable.
“Leon clearly trusted Jason with his life, and he took that away from him.
“We welcome the decision made by the jury this week, and thankful Leon’s family only had to wait another day for Trundle to be sentenced. I hope it brings some closure to Leon’s family and those that knew him.”
During the trial jurors were shown body-worn video footage of paramedics arriving at the property and waiting for Trundle to open the door.
Trundle was then recorded as he pointed at a closed bedroom door and told them Mr Pratt was dead, adding: “And no, before you ask, I didn’t kill him.”
Asked why he did not tell anyone Mr Pratt had died, he told paramedics: “I’ve got nowhere else to go.”
