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Christmas Day Murder: Dictaphone Records Dying Words
26 Jun
Summary
- A pensioner was found guilty of murdering his neighbour.
- The fatal dispute erupted over a noise complaint on Christmas Day.
- A Dictaphone recorded the victim's dying words during the attack.
A 67-year-old pensioner, James Hughes, has been convicted of murdering his neighbour, Harold Turner, 68. The fatal confrontation occurred on Christmas Day 2025 following a dispute over noise complaints. The incident took place at their shared sheltered accommodation in St Asaph, Denbighshire.
The court heard that Hughes attacked Turner outside his flat, ultimately sitting on him and preventing him from breathing. During the assault, Hughes also struck Turner repeatedly with his walking stick. Hughes, who used a Dictaphone to record conversations due to memory problems, captured his neighbour's final moments.
The recording played in court included Turner's desperate pleas of 'Get off me' and 'I can't breathe.' Hughes's chilling response was recorded as 'What a shame' and 'You can die for all I care.' The jury returned a guilty verdict on Friday, and Hughes awaits sentencing.
