Murderer jailed for 'extreme' rape attack

A man who raped and murdered a woman on grassland, telling his victim she was going to die amid an "extreme and brutal" attack has been jailed for 28 years.

Rahul Sharma punched, kicked and stamped on Helen Kempster during a "horrific" 15 minute ordeal in June 2022 in which more than 15 of her ribs were broken.

She was attacked on land near Wolverhampton city centre, and Sharma told police he had found her at about 04:00 and given her CPR.

The 32-year-old was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday after being convicted at the same court last month.

Detectives from West Midlands Police said Sharma, of Hordern Road, had attacked Ms Kempster, a known sex worker, over a small amount of money.

He had demanded money back from her then dragged her to the ground and repeatedly assaulted her.

He stamped on her multiple times, throttled her and told her she was going to die and raped her, the force said.

A post-mortem examination showed Ms Kempster had suffered a brain haemorrhage and one of her teeth had been knocked out.

Sharma denied any involvement but forensic examinations found DNA evidence from him on Ms Kempster and her clothing.

Det Ch Insp Jim Colclough, who led the murder investigation, said: "The brutality of the attack inflicted on Ms Kempster was extreme.

"It went on for many, many minutes during which time she suffered extensive injuries which ultimately claimed her life.

"Sharma denied his involvement but we have worked tirelessly to bring him before the courts and get some justice for Ms Kempster."

Sharma was also put on the sex offender register for life.

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