Manslaughter plea is rejected in death at Helston flat

A man has denied the murder of a retired postmaster who was found dead in his flat in Cornwall on Father's Day.

Alexander Channer yesterday admitted manslaughter at Exeter Crown Court but that plea was rejected by the prosecution, meaning a trial will now take place.

Channer, aged 54 and of Tewington Place, St Austell, is accused of the murder of 72-year-old Colin Payne on or around June 4, 2012 at his home in Sanctuary Lane, Helston.

Mr Simon Laws, QC, prosecuting, rejected Channer's plea of guilty to manslaughter and said it remains the Crown's case that there was an intention to kill.

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Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, adjourned the case for trial at Truro Crown Court on April 29, 2013, and extended custody time limits to enable Channer's continued detention.

Mr Payne was found dead at his third floor flat on Father's Day, Sunday June 17, having last been seen alive on May 31 in Helston. He is a former postmaster who ran sub post offices at Ashton and Porthleven in West Cornwall before retiring to Helston.