Ronald Smith murder: Father of killer who stabbed pensioner to death for £600 is charged over conspiracy
The father of a Black Country murderer has been charged with conspiring to rob the pensioner his son stabbed to death for £600.
Prolific burglar Paul Cooke was locked up for more than 28 years last month after admitting killing 65-year-old Ronald Smith, who was stabbed at least 20 times at his maisonette in Cottage Walk, West Bromwich.
Cooke, 35, had only been out of prison for a day when he left family-friend Mr Smith to bleed to death while he and an accomplice scoured his home for £600 on May 6 last year.
The body was not discovered until a month later when neighbours alerted police.
Yet despite facing nearly another three decades behind bars, Cooke consistently refused to name the person he was with during the attack.
Now, one month after Cooke jnr was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court, his father Colin Raymond Cooke has been charged with being involved in the plot to rob Mr Smith.
Cooke snr was arrested on Thursday and will appear at Walsall magistrates court today charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and assisting an offender by disposing of evidence and harbouring his son.
Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe, who is leading the investigation, said: "The investigation into the death of Ronald Smith and those who assisted or conspired to rob him is continuing with vigour. Further arrests can be expected in the coming weeks.
"Anyone with information about who was involved in the attack on Ronald Smith can contact me on 101 or leave a name with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
