Blackpool man jailed for murdering a 76-year-old man

A 44-year-old man has been sentenced for murdering a 76-year-old father of four in December last year.

Ian Dunne, 44 from Blackpool, murdered Malcolm Frary at his home on Eccleston Road in Blackpool on 31 December 2021.

Malcom Frary was retired and had lived alone in Blackpool since his wife passed away.

On 1 January 2022 Mr Frary’s son was told by a neighbour that Mr Frary’s curtains were closed and there was a broken glass panel in his front door. Mr Frary’s son entered the house and found his father dead.

During the investigation police found footage of Ian Dunne driving Mr Frary’s car away from the murder scene at 6.26pm on 31 December 2021.

When Dunne was arrested, he feigned shock and claimed he had been elsewhere at the time of Mr Frary’s death.

Dunne had in fact murdered Mr Frary. He had used the cord from his jogging bottoms as a ligature and strangled him to death. Following the murder, Dunne took steps to misdirect the police investigation by closing the curtains, which Mr Dunne never did, and stealing Mr Frary’s phone, wallet and keys before driving away from the address in Mr Frary’s car.

Dunne’s alibi unravelled when the police found Mr Frary’s mobile phone and the drawstring that was used to strangle Mr Frary near train tracks on Ventnor Road. CCTV evidence showed Dunne abandoning Mr Frary’s car on Ventnor Road. Police also recovered Mr Fray’s wallet that had been thrown down a drain.

After previously pleading not guilty, in April this year Dunne admitted that he had killed Mr Frary, but claimed he was acting in self-defence.

On 27 June this year Dunne changed his story again and pleaded guilty to murder.

Dunne was sentenced on 1 July 2022 at Preston Crown Court to life in prison, with a 19 year minimum.

Katie Marsden, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: “This was a tragic case, Mr Frary was described by family and friends as a gentle, kind man, his life has now been cut short by the selfish and brutal actions of Ian Dunne.

“The Crown Prosecution Service worked with Lancashire police to build a strong case. Dunne has attempted to mislead the police and court at every turn. When faced with the body of evidence including witness testimony, CCTV of his movements, cell site analysis to show where he was at the material time and forensic evidence, he abandoned his alibi and accepted his guilt.

“I hope this conviction and sentence will give Mr Frary’s family and friends some sense of justice. My thoughts are with them at this time.”