AN OBESE recluse who hated going out during the day because he was abused about his weight, murdered his lover after being asked to buy some sherry from a supermarket.
Alexander Channer, 55, of St Austell, Cornwall, who weighs 20 stones, has been jailed after losing control and suffocating pensioner Colin Payne, 72, in his bed after tying him up and gagging him.
He had acted out a similar fantasy 13 years ago when he bound and gagged another man during an act of false imprisonment – but was then only given a caution and treated in a psychiatric hospital.
The killer cracked retired postmaster Mr Payne around the head twice with a rolling pin before smothering him with two pillows after he bound his legs and hands and put a gag in his mouth.
Channer admitted murdering grandfather Mr Payne at his flat in Helston, last June. He had previously admitted manslaughter – which was rejected by the Crown, Plymouth Crown Court heard.
He was jailed for life and will serve at least 15 years before he can be released. Judge Graham Cottle said the victim was a man who "enjoyed a quiet and completely independent life" near his family.
Channer was in a relationship with Mr Payne, which the victim's own grown-up family did not know.
The judge said Channer "acted out a fantasy" with another lover in 2000 by restraining and detaining him for several hours, adding: "The matter was eventually resolved by you being cautioned."
Channer again acted out the fantasy when he killed Mr Payne, who was found with restraints on various parts of his body and with a gag in his mouth.
Judge Cottle said: "It was a wicked act. Colin Payne was a much-loved and missed man who met his death in quite appalling circumstances."
He said the murder was triggered by a comparatively minor event – being asked to buy some sherry by Mr Payne.
Channer had become a lodger at the flat and told police they were in a sexual relationship. Mr Laws said Channer was reclusive and "rarely went out".
Channer is thought to have murdered Mr Payne before taking his credit cards and travelling around Britain using them before being arrested in a Nottingham hotel two days after his victim was found dead.
Mr Payne's body was not found for two weeks until his son Nicholas went round to visit him on Father's Day last year.
He had to use a ladder to break into the flat where he found his father's body in his bed and a rolling pin on the floor.
Channer told police he had harboured thoughts of causing harm to Mr Payne and killing him by smothering him.
He said on the day of the murder Mr Payne asked him to go and buy some sherry but Channer was reluctant to do so, and this minor incident triggered the murder.
Mr Laws said for some bizarre reason Channer lost control and armed himself with the rolling pin before using pillows to smother him as Mr Payne cried out: "What are you doing to me? Why are you doing this? I love you."
Paul Mann, QC, for the defence, said: "He never hid that he killed Mr Payne unlawfully. He wants help."
