Woman killed in robbery had no money and phone worth less than £20, jury told
A woman killed in a brutal robbery was unlikely to have any money on her and only an old 'flip phone' worth less than £20 at the time, a court has heard.
Victim Glynis Bensley had also told friends on the day of the attack in Smethwick how much she was looking forward to becoming a volunteer at the British Heart Foundation on Bearwood Road for a second time.
Friends and family told of their shock at the death of the 47-year-old in statements read out to a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court, with two people, a man and a 13-year-old boy, on trial for her murder.
Her friend of 20 years John Gough had been drinking with her on September 3 just hours before she was set upon on at Cheshire Road and left to die.
"I am in total shock. Devastated. I can't understand how anyone would want to wish her any harm," he said.
The court was told Ms Bensley was one of nine children who were all very close, especially her brother Adrian Bensley and sister Dawn Bensley, who she lived with at Rosefield Road in Smethwick.
They described Glynis as a bit of a 'Tom boy' who did not usually wear jewellery and was not seen wearing any on the day, although the teenager who has admitted robbing her told one witness he was only after her bracelet.
Dawn also said her sister was not one for technology and only had an old phone, which was not a smartphone.
She confirmed that Glynis had not been working and was on Job Seekers Allowance.
But friends with her at The Seven Stars pub in Cape Hill on the day said they had bought her drinks because she had no money and she had offered to return the favour the next day.
Toxicology reports revealed Ms Bensley had been heavily intoxicated on the night, and would have been three times over the drink drive limit if she had of been in a car.
But friends said she had not been 'drunk' in the The Seven Stars although she had been in there for around 12 hours.
A 13-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, has admitted counts of manslaughter and robbery but denies murder.
Zoheb Majid, 20 and from Cheshire Road, has denied all three charges.
The jury which has been listening to evidence since Tuesday has heard that Ms Bensley was punched to the floor then stamped in the face while she lay on the ground.
On Thursday pathologist Dr Nicholas Hunt said the woman died of a brain haemorrhage likely brought on by the punch.
The trial continues.
