MAN JAILED FOR LIFE FOR MURDERING FORMER DJ IN BOLTON

Ashley Crowder has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years after being found guilty of murdering Graham Cox in Bolton in March 2024. Crowder, 37, attacked Cox, also 37, repeatedly over several weeks before beating and strangling him to death. Cox's body was discovered under a blanket on a sofa at Crowder's flat in Farnworth on 4 March 2024. The court heard that Cox had suffered a litany of internal and external injuries, 14 of which were caused by a weapon.

Judge Nicholas Clarke KC delivered the sentence on 6 August at Bolton Crown Court, finding that Cox's death resulted from the "cumulative effects" of a campaign of "prolonged cruelty" inflicted on a man described as "severely disabled" and "physically weak". The judge stated that the "final act" was strangulation, carried out with the intention of killing. Crowder had "dominated and exploited" Cox during the period of abuse, repeatedly attacking him and stealing his benefits. Cox was a talented footballer who played for one of Bolton Wanderers' youth teams, and a gifted musician and DJ who won a scholarship to a music college in Manchester and secured work on a radio station.

Crowder refused to attend court during the sentencing hearing on 6 August, despite being in the building. He had similarly refused to enter the courtroom on 29 July to hear statements from Cox's family members. Judge Clarke said Cox's family were "disgusted" by Crowder's behaviour throughout the trial and that he had shown "disrespect" and "disregard" for "the family, the court and the process". The judge added: "At no point has he shown any compassion for the family's suffering or remorse for what he did."