AN ELDERLY MAN was worried and distressed over his neighbour’s “erratic and intimidating behaviour” months before he was brutally killed by him, his family have said.
Ron Parsons, who suffered with Parkinson’s disease, was killed by Daniel Atkins in London on 2 March last year. A post-mortem ruled that his death was caused by severe face and head injuries, as well as associated complications.
Police were called to his address at 10.40am that day and discovered his body.
His neighbour Daniel Atkins was arrested near the scene and charged with murder the following day.
He admitted to killing the 71 year old.
This week, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was committed under a mental health act. The courts handed down an “indeterminate hospital order”.
The deceased man’s nephew issued a statement to pay tribute to his uncle, calling him a “quiet and private” retiree who was dealing with “increasing frailty and lack of mobility”.
“[He] wanted nothing more from life than to live out his retirement in peace, in the flat that he had worked all his life to buy. Ron was a private individual who kept himself to himself.”
His nephew said he was the youngest of five brothers and sisters, three of whom survived him, and uncle to seven nephews and nieces.
All of us were obviously deeply shocked at the violent, sudden and unexpected manner of his death.
“The thought that somebody of his age and physical condition could be so brutally murdered, for no apparent reason, is not something that any of us will ever come to terms with. Ron was not a confrontational man and I can think of no reason why this would have occurred.”
The death has had a profound effect on older members of the family, he added.
“Ron’s next of kin is his older brother Kenneth, who is 84-years-old. The reason I am providing this statement instead of my uncle is due to the fact that he is still clearly coming to terms with the loss of Ron and the circumstances surrounding it.
Although Ken puts on a brave face, it is extremely clear that both he and his wife Sylvia continue to struggle with what has happened and I do believe it has had an impact on their day-to-day life.
“Since this sad incident occurred it has become known to the family that Ron was indeed well loved by local neighbours and friends who also share grief and disbelief in this cruel, tragic incident. It is very difficult to put feelings into words as to how this has affected the family.
“There is some anger that Ron spent the last months of his life with a neighbour whose erratic and intimidating behaviour was causing him distress and worry.
“Despite a history of difficulties that had been reported to the various authorities, it is not apparent to the family that anything was done to safeguard Ron, or his neighbours, from the obvious and increasing threat from somebody who was known to suffer from mental illness.”
London police said they hope the sentence will bring some comfort to the family.
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