Leah Croucher’s murder suspect Neil Maxwell once tried to strangle ex out of anger, former pal reveals

LEAH Croucher murder suspect Neil Maxwell once tried to strangle his ex in a fit of rage, a former pal has revealed.

The friend said: “Neil could be charming but nasty.

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“He tried to strangle his girlfriend in 2009. He lost it. Nobody knows why.”

That year Maxwell got 4½ years in prison for raping a teenager.

He then “cheated” the authorities that he was reformed and fired, the pal claimed.

In 2018, Maxwell admitted to sexual assault and was given 200 hours of unpaid work.

He killed himself in 2019 at the age of 49 – two months after Leah, 19, went missing.

Human remains were found in a Milton Keynes home last week, sparking a murder investigation.

Police are accused of missing 18 chances to catch him.