Man who murdered woman at his flat jailed for life

A man who murdered a woman who was found wrapped in a blanket under a sofa at his flat has been jailed for life.

Wayne Bond, 45, killed Rebecca Simkin, 31, on Newport Road, Stafford, between 24 and 26 July 2024.

He was sentenced on Friday to a minimum of 20 years in prison, less almost a year on remand, following a 10-day trial at Stafford Crown Court.

Bond had shown "absolute cowardice" for failing to report Ms Simkin's death, leaving her in his flat for a number of days, and failing to give evidence during the trial, said Staffordshire Police.

The 31-year-old had been subjected to a violent assault which led to her death, said Det Insp Gina Pope.

Ms Simkin was seen with Bond on CCTV on Tuesday 23 July 2024, and later that evening visiting his flat, with footage showing she was uninjured.

Then late on Thursday 25 and in the early hours of Friday 26 July, several residents of the flats reported hearing a woman screaming.

On the Monday, Bond returned to his flat at Eagle House, which offers temporary accommodation for single people aged 18-64 facing homelessness.

He told a member of staff that a woman who had been staying in his room had died, and they had a squabble.

Bond was arrested for murder after Ms Simkin's body was found in a blanket under an upturned sofa.

Ms Simkin's mother and stepfather, Julie and Michael Riglar, said in a statement she was "an amazing mum and loving daughter," adding: "Beckii had her faults but she never deserved to die this way."

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