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<\/p>\nA MAN has been charged with the murder of a "much loved" dad who was found dead at home after an alleged dognapping. <\/p>\n
Cops found Donald 'Prentice' Patience's body\u00a0on Tuesday morning after being called to a Radcliffe home over reports that a white labradoodle was being stolen. <\/p>\n
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Police quickly launched a murder probe, and have now said that Donald had tragically been laying dead for a number of days. <\/p>\n
Officers quizzed three men over the 45-year-old's death and have today charged Ian Gary Connell\u00a0with murder.<\/p>\n
The 39-year-old will appear in court in the coming hours. <\/p>\n
Two other men, aged 27 and 41, have been bailed while police continue to probe the death. <\/p>\n
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Flowers now line the fence of Donald's home, which has its windows boarded up. <\/p>\n
One heartbreaking card reads: "Prentice, this should have never happened to you. <\/p>\n
"Thinking of you and your family. Will miss you on our dog walks. <\/p>\n
"Fly high mate, from Andy and family x." <\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n 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".<\/p>\n Donald's ex-wife Kirsty also paid tribute to him. <\/p>\n She wrote: "This breaks my heart to have to write this.<\/p>\n "As a lot of you may have already seen, this week we lost an extremely incredible man.<\/p>\n "Despite whatever happened between us, Prentice was an amazing father and adored his children.<\/p>\n "We are all truly heartbroken at this news and we are all struggling to come to terms with his death."<\/p>\n It was yesterday revealed that Donald had been robbed previously.<\/p>\n Police confirmed thieves stole several televisions, a child's bike and his brother's car in December. <\/p>\n The details of the break-in were disclosed in a note Donald sent to his neighbours in January.<\/p>\n The dad was a dog lover and shared photos of pooches all over social media. <\/p>\n In one post he shared a bath full of Labradoodle puppies – which are known to sell for \u00a3700 to \u00a31,500.<\/p>\n Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team is still investigating the incident and information can be reported via a Major Incident Public Portal –\u00a0https:\/\/mipp.police.uk\/operation\/06GMP23N11-PO1.<\/p>\n Anyone with information about the incident or Donald is asked to contact GMP\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TM-comp-Aurelia-Charlotte-v2.jpg\")
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