A man who stabbed a Good Samaritan grandfather to death has been jailed for murder and will have to serve a minimum of 20 years before being considered for parole.
Despite knowing him most of his life, Jacob Trussler, 37, stabbed David Allen, 77, to death in his own kitchen, Reading Crown Court heard.
Victim Mr Allen, also known as 'Fishy' was an old friend of Trussler's dad, having known him for 64 years, and helped Trussler out wherever he could, giving him money and offering a helping hand.
Mr Allen's body was found on his kitchen floor ahis house on Elgar Road, Reading, after the attack on December 1 2021.
Trussler tried to plead self-defence but was found unaminously guilty by the jury.
Following the sentencing today, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "Earlier in the day, Jacob Trussler, aged 37 years, of no fixed abode, arrived at David Allen's house and stabbed him multiple times. He was arrested the following morning and charged with Mr Allen's murder."
On May 27, Trussler was convicted of murder by unanimous jury verdict following a trial at Reading Crown Court. In today's hearing at the same court, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Mike Roddy, of the Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Unit, said: "Today, Jacob Trussler has been held accountable and sentenced for the death of David Allen, which occurred on December 1 last year.
"This incident has had a devastating impact on Mr Allen's friends. As ever, we are committed to bring such offenders to justice and will tirelessly and robustly pursue those who seek to cause such harm in our society."
Following the sentencing, Mr Allen's family made a tribute to the victim, reports Berkshire Live.
They said: “Firstly, we are a large family who will never get over the loss of a father, grandfather and friend. A person within a close family, who we had only ever received help and good from.
“The loss of David is greater than any sentencing to us as a family. We will remember the good times, not what happened to him and we will remember him every day as a family.
“David was taken too soon and in circumstances that we hope and pray no other family has to go through. The events since December have been unbearable but made more possible to move on with because of the fantastic service of the police, emergency services and liaison officers to name a few.
“From the respect we were shown as a grieving family, we would like to say a big thank you to each and every one of you that have been involved in this senseless situation. Thank you from all of the Allen family.”
