Bromsgrove News
Man convicted of murdering Rednal pensioner during burglary
1:10pm Tuesday 7th February 2012
A MAN convicted of murdering Rednal pensioner Paul Cox during a burglary at his home is facing a life sentence.
Cory Christopher Youlden, 23, care of HMP Hewell and formerly of Birmingham, appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Monday, (February 6), where he changed his plea and admitted murdering 83-year-old Mr Cox, who was found dead in his Waseley Road home last June.
Mr Cox, who lived alone, was attacked by Youlden during the burglary and died as a result.
The grandfather-of-two was found by police, who were called to the scene by a concerned neighbour.
Youlden had previously denied murder, although he had admitted burgling the house and stealing Mr Cox’s Ford Focus which was found two days later burnt out in Erdington, Birmingham.
Youlden was due to be tried later this month.
At the court hearing he changed his plea to guilty on the basis, though his act was significant, it was not the sole cause of Mr Cox's death during the burglary. This basis of plea was accepted by the prosecution.
Judge Robert Juckes QC told Youlden he would get a life sentence, but the exact terms of this would be decided later. He is due to be sentenced on February 27.
Following the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson said: "Mr Cox was just days short of his 84th birthday when he was killed in a burglary that went terribly wrong.
“He was targeted by Youlden who is an unscrupulous offender.
"When he was caught he initially denied having gone into Mr Cox's house and tried to put the blame elsewhere. His lies and deceit led to other people being arrested.
"However, as a result of the full and thorough investigation we carried out, the weight of the evidence against him was overwhelming.
"We were preparing for this to go to a trial. Youlden's decision to finally admit the full part he played in Mr Cox's death at least spares the victim's family from the extra anguish of that ordeal.
“They have already spent eight months waiting for justice and while sentencing has yet to take place hopefully the outcome will provide them with some solace and a degree of closure."