Hunted OAP Murder Suspect Is On Life Sentence

A man being hunted by police over the murder of a pensioner is a killer on day release serving a life sentence.

Ian John McLoughlin, also known as Ian John Baker, was 22 years into a 25-year sentence at Springhill prison in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, after being convicted in 1992 for the murder of 56-year-old Peter Halls, from Brighton, police have said.

McLoughlin was also jailed for manslaughter in 1983 following the death of 49-year-old Len Delgatty, from Stoke Newington, north London. He was sentenced to 10 years for this offence which was later reduced to eight years on appeal.

Police urgently want to speak to him in connection with the killing of Graham Buck, who was stabbed to death after going to the aid of his neighbour - a convicted paedophile - during a robbery on Saturday afternoon.

The 66-year-old, was responding to the cries of his neighbour, believed to be 86-year-old convicted paedophile Francis Cory-Wright, who was apparently being attacked at his home in Little Gaddesden, near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

Police said McLoughlin had no real ties to Hertfordshire and had come to Little Gaddesden on Saturday for a "purely financial motive".

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Brunning, of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, also said McLoughlin and Cory-Wright, who was released from jail recently, knew each other "through the prison environment".

Police have released CCTV images, thought to be of McLoughlin, to highlight the clothes he was wearing on the day of the murder.

They have warned the public not to approach the 55-year-old and have described him as "extremely dangerous".

The suspect has been described as a white male, around 6ft tall with greying hair.

He was believed to be wearing sunglasses, blue jeans and a dark, blue, light blue and white checked short sleeved shirt with a button down collar. He is of average build.

Mr Buck was found dead at the scene by police, while Cory-Wright was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jeff Hill said Mr Buck, described as a retired financial industry worker, paid the "ultimate price" for intervening during the robbery at the home of an elderly neighbour.

"Mr Buck's actions were totally selfless and illustrate a deep sense of community spirit which deserves recognition and respect," he said.

"His family are receiving support from specialist officers and we extend our deepest sympathies to them at this truly dreadful time."

Mr Buck leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter, two grandchildren and a former wife.

A statement from Hertfordshire Police said his family described him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who "appreciated his life, getting great satisfaction from his family being happy and healthy".

"He was a man who would help anyone in need, with a strong sense of doing the right thing," it said.

A statement from Mr Buck's family said: "We have no words to express how much Graham will be missed. We were all in such a happy place as a family. We were all so settled, with growing numbers of grandchildren whom he adored being around.

"We haven't seen him happier than being around his grandchildren whom he adored being around. We haven't seen him happier than being around his grandchildren, he was so proud. We cannot get over that we have lost him. He's going to be missed by so many people."

Mr Branning said: "We would like to reiterate that we continue to search for an extremely dangerous man and our focus is on finding Ian McLoughlin as soon as possible.

"The nature of this murder investigation is one of significant violence and until he is caught the public are asked not to approach him as he is a very dangerous man."

Officers have been conducting additional patrols in the "quiet residential" area to provide reassurance to residents.

In November 2011, Cory-Wright was jailed for 30 months for indecently assaulting a young boy in the 1970s.

:: Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting Operation Acaria, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.