‘Despicable’ man who strangled neighbour to death over Post Office money card jailed
A man has been jailed for more than 17-years after strangling his neighbour to death and stealing his Post Office card.
Tom Alexander Ellison, 35, from Southampton, was found guilty of murdering 58-year-old Ian Jupe at Southampton Crown Court on Wednesday.
The killing took place at Mountain Ash Close in the south coast city in May this year, when Ellison entered Jupe’s flat and murdered him before taking his Post Office card.
Though Ellison denied intentionally killing Jupe, he admitted intending to cause him harm.
The court heard that Jupe was last seen alive on the evening of Monday, May 27, before being found dead in his flat by a friend the following morning.
Prosecutor Charles Row KC told the court that Ellison entered the victim’s flat shortly before 7.20am and murdered him.
After the killing, Ellison used the stolen Post Office card to withdraw £480.10.
Ellison then returned to Jupe’s flat and made calls to his phone in an attempt to cover up what he had done.
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A Home Office post-mortem confirmed that Jupe died from “compression to the neck”.
At Southampton Crown Court on Thursday, Ellison was sentenced to 17 years and 194 days in prison.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Gillooly welcomed the verdict, saying: “We are pleased with the jury’s verdict and today’s sentence.
“I hope that today’s result brings some level of closure to Ian’s family.”
The victim’s sister also released a moving statement following Ellison’s sentencing.
She said: “I miss my brother so much. He was taken away from me and my family through this tragic incident that happened.”
She added: “I was asked to look after him on my mum’s death bed – and unfortunately that didn’t happen.”
DCI Gillooly said their thoughts remain with Jupe’s friends, family and all those who knew him.
While the Senior Crown Prosecutor Gavin Sumpter at CPS Wessex condemned Ellison’s actions, describing the murder as “a despicable act of violence.”
Sumpter praised the resilience of Jupe’s family throughout the legal proceedings, and said he hoped the case’s outcome would provide them some comfort.
He added: “Working with our criminal justice partners, the CPS is committed to ensuring that those who exploit and harm the most vulnerable members of our communities are held accountable for their actions.”