Pair plead guilty to manslaughter

Daniel Jones and Michael Dunphy

Two men from Manchester have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paul Brady, from Rochdale, following his disappearancein Bacup in 2009.

Daniel Jones, 28, of HMP Forrest Bank, and Michael Dunphy, 38, of no fixed address, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap.

Both men were originally charged with murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the fourth day of their trial at Preston Crown Court and these pleas were accepted.

They will both be sentenced on 11 November 2011.

Paul Brady, 44, was kidnapped from the Beaufort Road area of Weir, Bacup on Saturday 1 August 2009.

Despite a major police investigation with extensive enquiries and numerous searches to find Mr Brady, his body has never been found and detectives believe he was killed and his body disposed of following his kidnap.

Another man, Paul Devalda, 35, of Padiham Road, Burnley, was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to kidnap following a nine week trial at Liverpool Crown Court back in March. He was sentenced to life in prison and told he must serve a minimum of 21 years for murder before he will be considered for parole.

Dunphy was arrested together with Devalda in London, attempting to take flight and leave the country on 9 August 2009. Dunphy was interviewed and later released on police bail but failed to answer his bail and left the country. A warrant for his arrest was issued.

On 4 April 2011, an intelligence led operation resulted in Dunphy’s arrest when he was stopped by police whilst driving a car in Greater Manchester. He was brought to Burnley Police Station where he was charged.

At the time of the offence Daniel Jones lived at a cottage in Waterfoot and was identified as a suspect as a result of enquires. 

Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter from the Force Major Investigation said: “The volume of evidence against Dunphy and Jones influenced their decision in pleading guilty and it was not through compassion or feeling towards the family of Paul Brady. The decision to plead guilty also saves the family of having to sit through a full court case and the witnesses of having the trauma of giving evidence.

“If they had any compassion towards Paul’s family I would like to think they would tell us where his remains are but I doubt they ever will.  If as a result of the publicity surrounding these convictions anybody has information as to where Paul’s remains are, then I would urge them to get in touch with us. The family would like some closure and be able to lay Paul to rest with dignity and they won’t be able to do that until he has been found.”

John Dilworth, Head of Crown Prosecution Service North West Complex Case Work Unit, said: “The CPS welcomes the guilty pleas to conspiracy to kidnap and the manslaughter of Paul Brady today at Preston Crown court. The pleas are testament to the hard work of the prosecution team and the police in bringing the offenders to justice.

“Paul Brady was kidnapped in broad daylight and subsequently killed. Michael Dunphy and Daniel Jones played pivotal roles in the plan which led to his death. Our thoughts remain with Mt Brady’s family and loved ones who have gone through this terribly traumatic process with the utmost dignity.”