Married couple 'lured woman, 20, with learning disabilities to their home then drugged, raped and murdered her before wrapping her in a shower curtain and hiding her under their bed'

A married couple lured a 20-year-old woman with learning difficulties into their home before drugging, raping and murdering her with a hammer, a court heard today.

Steven Beards, 34, of Bentley, West Midlands, is accused of murdering and raping Susan Whiting in Bloxwich last August while wife Julie Beards, 35, of Walsall, is also accused of murder. Both deny the charges.

Susan Whiting's body was found at the home of Steven and Julie Beards in August last year

Ms Whiting was attacked with a blunt object and discovered with a fractured skull, her wrists bound and a plastic bag over her head, the prosecution said at the opening of the murder trial at Leicester Crown Court.

Police found her body wrapped in a shower curtain under the couple's bed, the court heard.

Opening the case today, prosecutor Gareth Evans said Ms Whiting had been invited to have dinner and stay the night by Mrs Beards on August 17 last year when she was drugged.
He said: 'They killed her by hitting her on the head with a blunt object, probably this hammer and by compressing her neck.

Julie (left) and Steven Beards (right) are on trial at Leicester Crown Court for the murder of 20-year-old Susan Whiting

Police found Susan's body wrapped up in a shower curtain under the couple's bed at their house in Bloxwich

'Why she was killed remains a mystery. Was it all about sex or was it a grudge also being settled?'
The court heard Susan was reported missing by her worried mother Maureen after she went to stay with the pair at their bungalow on August 17 last year.
Julie Beards, who has learning difficulties, appeared in court wearing a pink fleece alongside a carer and Steven, who was in a black fleece with slicked back, greasy hair.

The court heard between them they first sedated Susan with prescription medicine Julie stole from a friend before launching their attack.
Steven tied her to a bed with cable ties and raped her before the couple fractured her head with a hammer and hid the body, jurors were told.

The court heard Ms Whiting's mother Maureen was due to pick her daughter up from the property the following afternoon.

Mr Evans said: 'She never did, because we say that by the time that she arrived, Susan had been drugged, raped and killed and hidden under the single divan bed.
'Susan was a friend of Julie Beards and had on occasions visited Julie and had stayed overnight at the bungalow.

Julie Beards, 35, lured Ms Whiting to their home in Bloxwich before raping and murdering her, the court heard

Steven Beards, 34, lured Ms Whiting to their home in Bloxwich before raping and murdering her, the court heard

'It seems however that Julie Beards resented the fact that Susan had other friends and felt that their friendship was cooling.'

A post mortem revealed that Ms Whiting was struck to the head at least three times and traces of 'sedating hypnotic drug' Zopiclone was found in a blood sample.

Mr Evans said: 'She had never been prescribed that drug and had no reason to take it.'

As part of the prosecution opening, Mr Evans said the couple had been covertly recorded while they were being taken to court.
According to the prosecution, Mr Beards said to his wife: 'I need to stay out and look after the house. You'll get a lighter sentence all right, I'll come and visit you and I'll keep sending you money.

'Just say it was an accident and you lost your temper, you know what I mean. Can you do that for me bab?
'If you can take this rap for me... would you be able to do that? If I go down, you are coming with me.'

Forensic officers searching the scene after Susan's body was found in August last year

Officers inspect evidence and notes at the scene of Susan's death in Bloxwich

Police searched the house in Bloxwich, West Midlands after Susan was reported missing by her mother Maureen

She replied: 'Don't start, I haven't done anything wrong.'

Mr Beards said: 'You are involved as I am, I'm gonna spend the rest of my life behind bars. I've done what you asked me to do.'

The jury also heard Mrs Beards was aware of the effects of Zoplicone as she had drugged a friend.
Mr Evans said: 'There is evidence to suggest that she had, whilst visiting, Matthew Herbert, slipped it into his coffee and watched him fall into a deep sleep.
'She had been experimenting with the drug and knew its effects.' 



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