A CRAZED drug addict who suffocated a mentally-ill pensioner during a burglary has been jailed for 13 years. Naresh Bavabhai, aged 28, needed money to finance his craving for amphetamine, a judge at Manchester Crown Court was told. Bavabhai preyed on one of his neighbours, 68-year-old Kenneth Horrocks, who lived alone after being released into the community a short time before his death.

Two months before the killing Bavabhai had broken into Mr Horrocks' flat in Cromford Close, Bolton, and stole his building society passbook. He then withdrew more than £4,000 from the pensioner's account.

The court was told that Mr Horrocks was suffocated with a pillow.

But Mr Martin Steiger QC prosecuting, said medical evidence showed the victim could have died from a sudden coronary arrest and there would have been a difficulty in proving that Bavabhai meant to kill or cause serious harm.

Bavabhai admitted manslaughter.

Mr Steiger said Bavabhai was also a mental patient and first burgled Mr Horrocks' home last September.

Bavabhai was arrested but was bailed. He broke into the flat again and during a struggle put a pillow over Mr Horrocks' face.

When he realised Mr Horrocks was dead Bavabhai put pills into the old man's mouth attempting to fake a suicide. He later tried to get £7,000 from one of Mr Horrocks' accounts but was arrested and admitted how he smothered his victim to stop him screaming.

David Turner QC defending said Bavabhai never meant to kill Mr Horrocks and committed the thefts to feed his drug habit.

Mr Justice Poole said the offences were 'grave' because Bavabhai had preyed on a vulnerable man.

Afterwards, Det Insp Graham Ball, said: "We are very pleased with the sentence. I think justice has been done."

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