Pensioner wanted to teach his neighbour a lesson for 'breaking the rules...' but he went too far
17.11.2023 - 18:29
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A pensioner who snuck into a neighbour's flat and attacked a man with a spade while he was sleeping - killing him - has been jailed.
Royston Costello, 60, was a resident at Oakdene Court in Sandbach, where he had lived with his wife for several years. Thomas Dunn was also a resident at the supported living complex, and in the months leading up to the incident he had developed a grudge against Mr Costello - ending in Dunn attacking the victim with a spade before dumping the spade in a hedge and leaving the scene of the crime on his electric scooter.
Thomas Dunn was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years and six months on Friday, November 17, at Chester Crown Court. The 84-year-old, of Oakdene Court, had previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Mr Costello in Sandbach.
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Dunn had claimed that Mr Costello had been breaking the rules at the housing complex, making noises, using a fire door and letting his dog off its lead. Dunn was also unhappy that Mr Costello had recently been given a new car under the mobility scheme.
Mr Costello denied the allegations against him, but on Sunday, February 19, he awoke to find a Z mark had been scratched onto his new car. He confronted Dunn about the matter and the incident was reported to police who attended the scene and started an investigation.
However, on Monday 20 February, Dunn decided to go one step further, according to Cheshire Police. After waking up at 2am, he decided that he was going to attack Mr Costello and went out to a neighbours shed to get a spade.
He then took