A ruthless teenager has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the brutal murder of another man, in his own home.
19-year-old Daniel Kurmelovs (22/05/2000) of Dalton Road, Middleton was sentenced to life with a minimum of 25 years after being found guilty of the murder of a fifty-three-year-old man, Frank Lennon, at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square.
Kurmelovs had strangled his victim to death and try to cover his tracks by splashing the body with toothpaste and cleaning products in an attempt to cover his tracks. After murdering Frank, Kurmelovs ransacked his victim’s home and stole cash, jewellery and other items.
Frank’s body was discovered by his siblings after they failed to hear back from him over the weekend. They went to his flat where they sadly discovered his body.
Strangled, fractured ribs and cuts to his ears
A post mortem determined that Frank had been killed by a compression to the neck. He also suffered fractured ribs and other injuries including cuts to his ear, which Kurmelovs had done with scissors in a bid to see whether Frank was still alive.
During the trial, the court heard how on the evening of Friday 20 July 2018, Frank had met Kurmelovs in a chance meeting in Manchester’s gay village.
The pair walked towards Chorlton Street bus station before catching a taxi to Frank’s home where they were intimate. They then walked inside his flat on Hamerton Road, Collyhurst shortly before 10 pm.
Six days later – having dramatically altered his appearance by shaving his head – Kurmelovs visited a friend in Middleton where he admitted to murdering a man for his cigarettes which he then attempted to sell.
Officers were alerted and Kurmelovs was arrested.
Senior Investigating Officer Bob Tonge, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said, “Kurmelovs brutally murdered Frank in his own home. Not satisfied that he was dead, he even took some scissors and cut Frank’s ear – an attempt, he claimed, to see if he was alive.
“Frank also suffered fractured ribs at the hands of Kurmelovs who undeterred by his actions, set about ransacking his flat and stealing his possessions which he brazenly tried to sell just days later.
“Kurmelovs tried to suggest that his actions were accidental and eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter but thankfully the jury were able to see through that excuse and today convicted him of murder.
“My thoughts remain with Frank’s family who have had to sit through the agony of a trial and the suffering of Kurmelovs’ excuses but I hope today can provide them with some comfort, knowing the man responsible is locked away where he can’t harm anyone else.”
“Loved by all”
Paying tribute to Frank, his family said, “Frank was much loved by all his family and friends and had much life ahead of him.
“Frank was taken from us in July in completely unnecessary circumstances. We cannot express how devastated we are that his life has been stolen from him.
“Frank is missed every minute of every day.
“Today his killer has been sentenced, and justice has been served.
“We can try to repair our heartache although no matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring Frank back or make our loss any easier.
“We need to attempt to move on and hopefully today will now provide closure for our pain over the last few months, however, we will never forget Frank or the many memories he has given us.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past few months.”
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