Man, 37, jailed for life for Accrington murder

Police said Christopher Singleton inflicted a "shocking level of violence" on Raich Alcock

A man has been jailed for murdering a 52-year-old who was found semi-conscious at his home in Accrington, Lancashire.

Raich Alcock was discovered with a serious head injury in September last year and died in hospital 10 days later.

Christopher Singleton, 37, of Derby Street was found guilty of his murder after a trial at Preston Crown Court.

He was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years.

'Vicious assault'

Mr Alcock had been involved in an argument with Singleton and he followed him to the rear yard of his house in Arnold Street before punching him in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on a wall, Lancashire Police said.

Raich Alcock died in hospital 10 days after being attacked in the early hours of 6 September

He then dragged Mr Alcock inside the house and continued a "vicious assault" against him while semi-conscious, the trial heard.

Det Insp Tim McDermott said Singleton had "refused to accept responsibility" and "showed complete disregard" for Mr Alcock's welfare.

"[Mr Alcock] had been out with friends in Accrington when one of the group, Christopher Singleton, took exception to him. The pair had a disagreement, but Mr Alcock could never have envisaged the shocking level of violence he was about to suffer."