A MAN has been charged with the murder of a "much loved" dad who was found dead at home after an alleged dognapping.
Cops found Donald 'Prentice' Patience's body on Tuesday morning after being called to a Radcliffe home over reports that a white labradoodle was being stolen.
Police quickly launched a murder probe, and have now said that Donald had tragically been laying dead for a number of days.
Officers quizzed three men over the 45-year-old's death and have today charged Ian Gary Connell with murder.
The 39-year-old will appear in court in the coming hours.
Two other men, aged 27 and 41, have been bailed while police continue to probe the death.
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Flowers now line the fence of Donald's home, which has its windows boarded up.
One heartbreaking card reads: "Prentice, this should have never happened to you.
"Thinking of you and your family. Will miss you on our dog walks.
"Fly high mate, from Andy and family x."
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This week the 45-year-old's family described him as "a much-loved son, brother and father and will be sorely missed by many, affectionately known as Prentice".
Donald's ex-wife Kirsty also paid tribute to him.
She wrote: "This breaks my heart to have to write this.
"As a lot of you may have already seen, this week we lost an extremely incredible man.
"Despite whatever happened between us, Prentice was an amazing father and adored his children.
"We are all truly heartbroken at this news and we are all struggling to come to terms with his death."
It was yesterday revealed that Donald had been robbed previously.
Police confirmed thieves stole several televisions, a child's bike and his brother's car in December.
The details of the break-in were disclosed in a note Donald sent to his neighbours in January.
The dad was a dog lover and shared photos of pooches all over social media.
In one post he shared a bath full of Labradoodle puppies – which are known to sell for £700 to £1,500.
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Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team is still investigating the incident and information can be reported via a Major Incident Public Portal – https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP23N11-PO1.
Anyone with information about the incident or Donald is asked to contact GMP’s Major Incident Team on 0161 856 3635 or 101 quoting incident number 1139 of 22/08/2023 or via the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.
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