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Susan Whiting death: Woman guilty of manslaughter | Susan Whiting death: Woman guilty of manslaughter |
(35 minutes later) | |
A woman has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a student with learning difficulties. | A woman has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a student with learning difficulties. |
Julie Beards blamed her husband for the murder of Susan Whiting, 20, who was drugged, raped and killed in August, Leicester Crown Court heard. | Julie Beards blamed her husband for the murder of Susan Whiting, 20, who was drugged, raped and killed in August, Leicester Crown Court heard. |
The 36-year-old, who also has learning difficulties, denied being involved in the murder. | The 36-year-old, who also has learning difficulties, denied being involved in the murder. |
Steven Beards, 34, has already been convicted of rape and murder of the Walsall student. | Steven Beards, 34, has already been convicted of rape and murder of the Walsall student. |
He had denied the charges. | He had denied the charges. |
More on this story as it unfolds | |
Miss Whiting went to stay the night with the Beards on 16 August, which she had done before. She had become friends with Mrs Beards through a local adult community centre. | |
The following day she was reported missing to the police. | |
The couple from Bloxwich in Walsall told the student's mother she had left their home safe and well, but the next day police found her body wrapped in a shower curtain under a bed in their house. | |
Miss Whiting was raped after her food had been laced with a 'sedating hypnotic drug' Zoplicone, and died of a fractured skull when she had been struck on the head at least three times, the jury heard. | |
Mr Beards, who has also been convicted of rape, told the court he had "no idea" how evidence of his sperm had been found at the crime scene. | |
Miss Whiting's mother, Maureen, paid tribute to her daughter saying: "She was just 20 years old, an easy-going, loving young lady, enjoying her life. I know she was loved and will be missed by so many people". |