[A] 37-year-old Accrington man has today (April 24) been convicted of murder.
Christopher Singleton, of Derby Street, was found guilty of killing Raich Alcock, 52, following a trial at Preston Crown Court.
Singleton, who had pleaded not guilty to the offence, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 16 years.
Police launched an investigation last year after Mr Alcock was found semi-conscious at his home in Accrington.
Paramedics attended an address in Arnold Street on September 6 and discovered the 52-year-old had suffered a serious head injury.
Despite being transferred to Royal Preston Hospital for further care, the 52-year-old sadly died on September 16.
Following extensive enquiries and greatly assisted by information from the local community, detectives discovered Mr Alcock had been involved in a dispute with Christopher Singleton on the evening he suffered his injury.
Following this dispute Singleton followed the victim to the rear yard of his house before punching him to the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on a wall.
Singleton dragged Mr Alcock inside the property and continued a vicious assault against his semi-conscious victim.
Detectives later arrested Singleton and charged him with murder.
Det Insp Tim McDermott, of Blackburn CID, said: “This was a complex investigation in which initially it was unclear if any criminal offence had taken place.
“Through the assistance of medical staff at Royal Blackburn Hospital, information from the community and enquiries made by officers, it became clear Mr Alcock had in fact been attacked.
“He had been out with friends in Accrington when one of the group, Christopher Singleton, took exception to him. The pair had a disagreement, but Mr Alcock could never have envisaged the shocking level of violence he was about to suffer.
“Singleton followed the 52-year-old to his home before carrying out a vicious attack, continuing to assault the victim despite him obviously being unable to defend himself.
“Singleton showed complete disregard for Mr Alcock’s welfare and inflicted injuries which were to prove fatal.
“We welcome today’s conviction. I would particularly like to thank Mr Alcock’s family for the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout the trial and thank the witnesses in the case, who have showed great character in giving their evidence in the face of the defendant’s total refusal to accept responsibility.”
