Family of Chesterfield pensioner Graham Snell pay tribute to him after man convicted of his murder

Graham Snell, 71, was killed by Daniel Walsh at his home on Marsden Street on June 20, 2019.

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The 30-year-old then chopped up Mr Snell and deposited his body parts across Chesterfield – including in a badger sett.

Walsh spent the days after Mr Snell’s death travelling to Sheffield to gamble at a casino – as well as visiting local massage parlours and buying drink and drugs – all of which was paid for out of Mr Snell’s savings.

Walsh was found guilty of murder at Derby Crown Court on Friday following a three-week trial.

He is due to be sentenced on January 4.

Annamarie Ashton, Mr Snell’s niece, and her husband Steven, said of the conviction: “We are pleased with the result – it is what we expected.

“It has been very hard listening to all the evidence over the past three weeks.

“It is unbelievable what Daniel Walsh did.

“Words cannot describe how we feel about him.

“Graham was a nice, quiet man who kept himself to himself.

“He did not deserve what happened to him.”

They added: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the police officers involved in the investigation.

“We feel for them after what they saw as they investigated Graham’s murder.

“We would also like to thank Graham’s neighbours, who reported him missing."

Detective Chief Inspector Sally Blaiklock, who led the investigation into Mr Snell’s murder, said she remains ‘utterly appalled’ by the circumstances surrounding his death.

She added: “The depraved acts that Daniel Walsh carried out on Graham – a retired pensioner, a quiet man and a good neighbour – are truly shocking.

“After several years in policing, and seeing some of the worst crimes imaginable, I have often thought there is little that could surprise me – but then we came across Daniel Walsh.

“I welcome Friday’s verdict and hope that this allows Graham’s family, friends and neighbours to come to terms with what happened to a much-loved man who will never be forgotten.”

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