Christmas murder: Pensioner sits on neighbour in noise feud
A 67-year-old retired jeweller has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his neighbour by sitting on his chest until he asphyxiated, following a long-running noise dispute at their sheltered housing complex in St Asaph, north Wales. James Hughes, who recorded the fatal attack on a Dictaphone, was convicted of killing Harold 'Harry' Turner on Christmas Day after the police failed to respond to his calls for help.
How did the sheltered housing noise feud turn deadly?
The tragedy that unfolded at the Old Palace Flats is a disturbing indictment of how easily civilised society can fracture when basic institutions fail. James Hughes and Harold Turner were neighbours in a complex designed for vulnerable, retired individuals. Instead of peace, the block was plagued by a simmering animosity over noise. Mr Turner had repeatedly complained about Hughes banging on walls and rails, creating disturbances late into the night.
By Christmas Eve, the situation had reached boiling point. Mr Turner, who suffered from significant health problems, was angry and distressed. At 5.15am on Christmas morning, he left a vitriolic voicemail for Hughes, stating: