Attacker admits murdering man who died years later

Anthony Ellis carried out the brutal assault in 2012

A man who was jailed 12 years ago for brutally assaulting a homeless man has now admitted murder after his victim died of injuries related to the 2012 attack.

Anthony Ellis, 36, received a 12-and-a-half year sentence in August 2013 for causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Igor Pavlov in Whitworth Park in Rusholme, Manchester.

Mr Pavlov died aged 52 on 3 July 2023 while Ellis was still serving his original sentence.

At Manchester Crown Court he admitted the new charge of murder and will be sentenced on 27 August.

In the original trial the prosecution said Ellis's attack was an "act of senseless violence" which caused the victim life-threatening injuries and left him with "very severe" brain damage and needing specialist care indefinitely.

The court heard Ellis had gone to the park after a family argument and hit Mr Pavlov repeatedly with an "unknown" object as he sat on a bench.

Mr Pavlov suffered a fractured skull which left him in a coma for months.

Prosecutor Frances Birch said: "The final, devastating consequences of Anthony Ellis's brutal attack on Igor Pavlov came more than a decade after the event - but the Crown Prosecution Service was determined to bring Ellis to book for murder all the same.

"The strength of the evidence, including medical evidence around the cause of Mr Pavlov's death, meant Ellis had no option but to admit murdering Mr Pavlov.

"Ellis now faces a lengthy prison sentence for his senseless act of violence, which has ultimately robbed a man of his life.

"Our thoughts remain with those who knew and cared for Mr Pavlov."