'Callous' killer tortured and murdered pensioner who refused to give up PIN number

A crack cocaine addict who murdered a pensioner has been jailed for a minimum of 30 years.

John Swannack, 59, was given a life sentence at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday (March 15) for the murder of 79-year-old Bill Howard in Accrington, Lancashire, last August, a police spokesman said.

Lancashire Police officers were called to Mr Howard’s flat on James Street just before 2pm on August 28 and found him with serious head injuries and a number of stab wounds.

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A force spokesman said Mr Howard, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had been subjected to a sustained attack, including having accelerant poured on him.

Police said Mr Howard was last seen alive on August 24 and later that day Swannack was captured on CCTV leaving the pensioner’s property with a black bin bag and walking stick.

Investigations led the police to Swannack, a known killer who was already on licence for life after being convicted of killing a friend with an iron bar in a fight and a gun point robbery which left a garage cashier in fear for her life.

In the summer of 2021, Swannack befriended a number of vulnerable residents in the Accrington area and tricked them into handing over their bank details, reports Lancs Live.

When Mr Howard refused to give the killer his PIN number he was tortured and killed in a frenzied knife attack. One of the many wounds to his chest penetrated his heart.

By 6pm Swannack was using Mr Howard’s bank card to buy vodka and groceries. He spent just £150 before the card was declined two days later.

Despite the agony he was in, Mr Howard never handed over his PIN, and defensive injuries to his arms and hands showed