![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Anthony-Ellis.jpg\")
Anthony Ellis<\/p>\nAnthony Ellis was jailed for life for murdering Igor Pavlov in ManchesterAnthony Ellis<\/p>\n
A thug who was convicted of battering a homeless man with a branch may not have been convicted again for his murder 12 years later, prosecutors have said.<\/p>\n
Anthony Ellis, 36, was jailed for life on Wednesday, August 27,<\/a> for the murder of Igor Pavlov. He had attacked Mr Pavlov with a tree branch, striking him at least five times to the head, in Whitworth Park, in Manchester city centre<\/a>, on September 11, 2012.<\/p>\n Mr Pavlov, then 41, was left with severe brain injuries and a fractured skull. Ellis, then 23, admitted causing wounding with intent on the day of his trial and was jailed for 12-and-a-half years.<\/p>\n However, in July 2023, Mr Pavlov, aged 52, sadly died as a result of an illness caused by the brain injuries.<\/p>\n Sign up to the MEN Court newsletter here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In order for Ellis to be charged with his murder, prosecutors had to prove that the assault he had already been convicted of was a significant contributing factor to his death.<\/p>\n Martin Hill, a senior lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: \u201cJust because we convicted someone, it doesn\u2019t mean that we are going to get a conviction again.\u201d<\/p>\n Outlining the stages of bringing the charges, the CPS had to prove that the death was as a result of an unlawful act and that the suspect intended to inflict at least serious harm.<\/p>\n As it had already been established that Ellis was responsible for the assault, prosecutors consulted a pathologist to conduct a post mortem which concluded that Mr Pavlov\u2019s cause of death was bronchopneumonia, neurodisability and a blunt force head injury.<\/p>\n They also looked at Mr Pavlov\u2019s medical treatment over the last 12 years and the chain of causation.<\/p>\n \u201cAt that point we would have to get the Attorney General\u2019s consent. We have to prepare a report setting out that the evidence test was met, and why we think it is in the public interest to prosecute,\u201d said Mr Hill.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was a senseless attack and a shock in the community, it was clear there was a public interest element. They were complete strangers. We are saying he [Ellis] caused the death and he should be held accountable for that.<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t have an issue proving intent as he had pleaded guilty to GBH [grievous bodily harm]. And he was found to be a dangerous offender at sentencing.\u201d<\/p>\n Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n With that evidence, the CPS were able to build a case with Greater Manchester Police<\/a> and ultimately charge Ellis with murder. He pleaded guilty at a hearing a month later.<\/p>\n ‘He suffered horrendously’<\/p>\n