Man guilty of woman's rape and murder

A man who carried out a "violent and sustained" attack on a woman has been found guilty of her rape and murder.

Helen Kempster was found on grassland off Kingsland Road in Wolverhampton on 16 June 2022 and died later in hospital.

West Midlands Police said Rahul Sharma, of Hordern Road, had "brutally" attacked her over a "small amount of money".

The 32-year-old was convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court earlier following a three-week trial. His sentencing date is yet to be set.

The force said Sharma had told officers he had found Ms Kempster, a known sex worker, and given her CPR.

However, an investigation found he had demanded money back from her then dragged her to the ground and repeatedly kicked, punched and assaulted her.

A post-mortem examination showed she had suffered such violence that one of her teeth had been knocked out, the force said, in addition to several broken ribs and a brain haemorrhage.

Forensic examinations found DNA evidence from Sharma on Ms Kempster and her clothing, police said.

Det Chief Insp Jim Colclough, who led the investigation, said: "It appears that this attack came after Sharma accused his victim of having a small amount of his money.

"But his actions were violent and sustained and ultimately took Ms Kempster's life."

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