Farnworth murder suspect ‘put a roof over his head’

Ashley Crowder, 36, is accused or murdering Graham Cox, 37, by beating him and strangling him to death at Crowder’s flat in Farnworth after repeatedly taking his money.

But the closing stage of a trial at Bolton Crown Court this week heard that there were no other eye witnesses who had directly seen what happened in the flat that day.

Richard Pratt KC, defending, said: “Of course this is not a case where somebody claimed to have witnessed the violent death of Mr Cox.”

Mr Cox had been found dead at Crowder’s flat on Barton Walk, Farnworth by police on March 5, 2024.

The trial has been heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Phil Taylor)

But the trial at Bolton Crown Court more than two years on heard from Mr Pratt how the prosecution relied on “hearsay” evidence claiming Crowder had been the killer.

Crowder, who wore a black top, dark green trousers and appeared to take off his shoes during proceedings listened on from the dock as Mr Pratt made his case.

He had not given evidence himself during the trial.

Mr Pratt said contrary to claims Mr Cox had made before his death that Crowder had locked him in the flat and “held him hostage”, he could, actually was unaware he did not need a key to leave.

He said there was also no way of knowing that claims Mr Cox had made that Crowder had assaulted him in the period leading up to his death where true.

Mr Pratt said: “Why he came to accuse Mr Crowder is not known, perhaps he was an easy target.”

He added: “He was the only person to put a roof over his head.”

Police at the scene on Barton Walk, Farnworth (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Pratt told the jury of seven men and five women that the prosecution had failed to “shut down” the chance that someone else could have killed Mr Cox.

He reminded the jury of Mr Crowder’s police interview where he claimed that around 50 people had made use of his flat.

Mr Pratt said: “Could some person unknown or unidentified have caused the death of Graham Cox?”

He added that there was evidence from Crowder’s interview that someone was “closing in on a debt”

Turning to the alleged thefts, Mr Pratt said that Crowder legitimately believed that Mr Cox owed both he and his mother money.

He reminded the jury that rather than “clearing him out” Crowder had left Mr Cox enough money to be able to buy items for himself.

Mr Pratt said: “There are many gaps in the case, there are many unanswered questions.”

Beginning the summing up process, the Honorary Recorder for Bolton Judge Nicholas Clarke KC told the jury they had been presented with “two strikingly contrasting versions of the relationship between these two men.”

Crowder, of Barton Walk, Farnworth, denies murder, the alternative count of manslaughter, assault and four counts of theft.

A verdict is expected over the coming days.