Guns stolen from murdered pensioner ‘may have been sold in Hastings’

Detectives investigating the murder of a pensioner in Essex have released details of two guns which they believe were stolen around the time of his death and may have been sold on in Hastings.
By Stephen Wynn-Davies
Published 11th Jan 2021, 16:04 BST
Updated 11th Jan 2021, 16:12 BST
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Donald Ralph, 83, was found deceased at his home in Aldham, Essex, shortly after 1pm on December 29, 2020.

Police believe Mr Ralph – a registered firearms keeper – died in the late afternoon of December 28. A post mortem examination found he died from strangulation, police said.

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On Monday (January 11), they released details of two guns they believe were stolen from his house around the time of his death.

Donald Ralph. Picture: Essex Police SUS-211101-154236001Donald Ralph. Picture: Essex Police SUS-211101-154236001
Donald Ralph. Picture: Essex Police SUS-211101-154236001

Detectives said they believe the guns may have been sold on and are asking anyone who has been offered them for sale or knows of their whereabouts to get in touch.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton said: “Don was a registered firearms keeper and we have established three guns are missing from his home.

“From the information we have, we believe they were stolen and may have been sold on, possibly in Colchester or Hastings.

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“I am asking anyone who has seen the guns, or been offered them for sale, to please contact us.”

Picture: Essex Police SUS-211101-154216001Picture: Essex Police SUS-211101-154216001
Picture: Essex Police SUS-211101-154216001

The guns are:

– A self-loading Ruger Rifle 22 RF, serial number 354-66591.

– A Browning shot gun 12 bore over/under, serial number 419 13 MW.

Leighton Snook, 28, of no fixed address and a 16-year-old boy from Leicester, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have both appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court to face a charge of murder, police said.

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Picture: Essex Police SUS-211101-154226001Picture: Essex Police SUS-211101-154226001
Picture: Essex Police SUS-211101-154226001

A spokesman for Essex Police added: “Snook will also face additional charges of possession of an offensive weapon and theft of a motor vehicle while the teenager will also face a charge of theft of a motor vehicle.

“Two men, aged 30 and 39, and a 21-year-old woman, all arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

“Donald Ralph, 83, was found dead at his home in Halstead Road, Aldham on Tuesday 29 December. A post-mortem examination found he died from strangulation.”

Contact police online at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4201020120P56-PO1

Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org