Girl with learning difficulties sedated, raped, hammered to death by couple

Birmingham: In a shocking incident, a couple sedated, raped and hammered a 20-year-old girl to death in Birmingham. The deceased’s naked body was packed in a plastic bag and hidden under a bed, according to a report in The Mirror.

Susan Whiting, who had learning difficulties, was invited for dinner by the couple. She stayed over at the couple’s place for the night when the appalling incident took place. The couple, Steven and Julie Beards, had sedated Susan with prescribed medicines which they had stolen from a friend. Later, Steven tied her to a bed with a cable and raped her before hammering her head.

Susan’s death came to light when her mother came to the couple’s place to collect her daughter next morning. When Susan’s mother asked Julie about her daughter, the latter said that she had already left for home.

The couple was produced before the court on Tuesday on charges of rape and murder. On being enquired about the incident that took place on August 17 last year, both of them gave different shades to it.

According to Julie, when the incident took place, she was in the bathroom and was shocked to see Susan’s body after coming out.  Steve on the other hand said that he wasn’t there at home for the entire night and when he came back, Susan had already headed home. According to him, Susan was killed either when he was out of the house or was killed by a mystery killer.

Despite forensic report showing presence of Steve’s sperms in Susan’s body, Steven denied raping Susan. Further, a sample of the drug was found which was used to sedate the deceased.

In an attempt to get rid off the penalty, the duo was found blaming each other for the murder.