Ernest Wright: 'Manipulative' pensioner who killed twice

Main story: Freed killer convicted of shotgun murder in Bradford

Detective Superintendent Chris Thompson, who led the investigation, said that, even at the age of 68, the out-on-licence murderer was still committing burglaries and associating with criminals.

Last March he burst into the home of Craig Freear and Neville Corby, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, with a double-barrelled shotgun, killing Mr Corby with a blast to the neck and badly injuring Mr Freear with a shot in the chest.

He then went on the run for 30 days, hiding from police in the home next-door-but-one to his own flat after gaining the help of vulnerable local people.

The jury at Newcastle Crown Court did not know that Wright, known as Les, had already served a life term for a murder in 1971.

He beat Trevor Hale - the husband of his pregnant lover - to death with an iron bar and was jailed in 1973.

Wright should have served a minimum of 13 years but spent double that time inside after going on the run four times during his incarceration.

During a supervised visit to his sister's home in Saltaire in 1991, he escaped and evaded capture for a month. He was eventually found sunbathing in a back garden in Mixenden.

He was returned to jail in 2005 after he failed to turn up to court after he was charged with motoring matters.

He was still on licence when he shot Mr Corby and Mr Freear.

The court heard that Wright had a series of disputes with them over the finances of Mr Freear's disabled mother.

Wright tried to turn her against her son and was attempting to get control of her benefits.

Mr Thompson said: "That a senior citizen should be responsible for such a horrific and brutal murder is highly unusual. However, Ernest Wright is not a conventional 68-year-old.

"At the time of this murder he was still an active criminal, committing night-time burglaries and associating in criminal circles."

Wright carefully planned the shooting and was able to avoid capture for a month.

The detective said: "We know that he was able to manipulate and persuade certain naive persons within the community of his innocence, and that he was provided with food, shelter and even medical care.

"There is clear evidence of a calm execution style. Wright was comfortable entering his victims' home, and pursued his victims from room to room, loading and reloading the shotgun and inflicting terrible injuries from which Neville Corby died and Craig Freear was left fighting for his life.

"There are clear parallels with the 1971 murder of Trevor Hale in Aylesbury. A controlling and manipulative individual, in both cases he was involved in dysfunctional relationships with vulnerable women.

"It is at the point that his control of these relationships was challenged that he reacted with extreme and totally disproportionate violence and in both cases was prepared to commit murder.

"Whilst on the run he wrote three letters addressed to myself, as the officer leading the investigation, in which he claimed to be the victim, and threatened suicide. We know that he wrote similar letters of a self-pitying nature following the 1971 murder."

He went to Morecambe and Heysham, Lancashire, where he sent letters to the police. He then returned to Bradford.

One letter said, perhaps hopefully, that he was "out of sight, out of mind".

It added: "I just can't take any more prison, not at my age."

Mr Thompson said: "Wright is a manipulative man capable of extreme violence.

"He has always remained emotionally detached from what he has done and has never shown remorse. He clearly represents a danger to the public and I am pleased with the decision of the jury to convict him and the sentence imposed by the court.

"It is clear from comments made by Wright in his letters to the police that he harbours homophobic views.

"We were however able to reassure the gay community that this was a focused killing and that Wright knew his victims and had a clear motive."

Mr Freear said afterwards that Wright had got his "come-uppance".

Outside court, he said: "I am pleased with the verdict of the jury today who have found Ernest Wright guilty of both Nev's murder and the attempt on my life.

"No-one could imagine they would be a confronted by a situation like this and it has truly had a devastating impact on both myself and Neville's family.

"I can take some comfort though from knowing that Wright will most likely never be free to hurt anyone again.

"Wright said in court in that bullies always get their come-uppance.

"Well, today a murderer has truly had his and I want to thank all those in the criminal justice system who have delivered justice for both myself and Nev.

"I would also like to thank the police for all their support during this traumatic time."