A SICK killer strangled a mum, 31, to death in a bedsit before hiding her body under the sofa for several days.
Monster Wayne Bond, 45, is facing life in prison for cruel murder of Rebecca Simkin.
Rebecca Simkin, 31, was found dead at a property in Stafford[/caption]
Wayne Bond will be sentenced for murder on Friday[/caption]
Bond was found guilty of killing the “amazing” mum in cold blood, a court heard.
Stafford Crown Court heard Bond killed Beckii and hid her body under an upturned sofa of his Stafford home.
He then failed to alert emergency services for several days and did not give evidence during his 10-day trial.
But a jury saw through his lies and he was today convicted of Beckii’s murder.
CCTV had showed Bond and Beckii, of Stafford, together on Newport Road, Stafford, at 7.40pm on Tuesday, July 23 last year.
Beckii could clearly be seen on the footage without any injuries. police said.
Footage then showed them entering Bond’s flat at Eagle House at around 9.15pm.
Beckii, who didn’t live at Eagle House, was just visiting but was never seen again.
She had been signed in but never signed out and the mum was not captured on any CCTV after that time.
Several residents of the flats said they heard a woman screaming late on Thursday, July 25 and in the early hours of Friday July 26.
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
- The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
- Men who are being abused can call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
- If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Bond had returned to his flat at 10am on Monday, July 29 and told a member of staff that a woman who had been staying in his room had died, claiming they had a squabble.
But Beckii’s lifeless body was found wrapped in a blanket underneath the upturned settee.
The mum was found with severe injuries to her face and neck.
Beckii was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.
Bond, of Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of murder by cops.
In a statement, Beckii’s mother and step-father, Julie and Michael Riglar, said: “Beckii was an amazing mum and loving daughter. Beckii had her faults but she never deserved to die this way.
“We would like to thank Staffordshire Police for their hard work on the investigation into Beckii’s murder, with special thanks to the family liaison officers, and investigators conducting the investigation.”
Detective Inspector Gina Pope, of Staffordshire Police’s Major Investigations Department, said: “Our thoughts remain with Beckii’s family and friends. Beckii was tragically subjected to a violent assault which sadly led to her death.
“Bond showed absolute cowardice in failing to report Beckii’s death and leaving her in his flat for a number of days and for failing to give evidence during the trial.
“I’d like to thank Beckii’s family, friends and the staff and residents of Eagle House, where she died, who have supported the investigation.”
Bond is due to be sentenced on Friday.
