Pair accused of murder of Smethwick woman found dead in street will not give evidence at trial

Victim Glynis Bensley, 47, suffered injuries to her head, neck and back after being attacked in Chester Road, Smethwick, on September 3.

Among the injuries was a bruise to her cheek caused by a stamp which left a foot imprint on her face, a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court has heard.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has admitted counts of manslaughter and robbery but denies murder.

At the hearing yesterday (Tue) Mr Jo Sudhu QC, defending the teenager, told the jury his client would not be giving evidence.

"I call no evidence," he said.

The teenager's co-accused Zoheb Majid, 20, also opted not to give evidence before the jury.

Majid, of Chester Road, denies all three charges.

Mr Michael Turner QC, defending him, also called no evidence.

Judge John Warner said: "This concludes all of the evidence in the case."

Prosecution and defence were expected to deliver their closing speeches today (Wed) before Judge Warner begins his summing up.

Members of the jury will go out to deliberate their verdict later this week.

The court has previously heard Ms Bensley was unlikely to have had any money on her when attacked and only had an old flip phone worth less than £20.

Pathologist Dr Nicholas Hunt told the jury it was a blow to Ms Bensley's eye that caused a fracture to her socket and her head to twist to an extent it would have brought on internal bleeding.

Ms Bensley, of Rosefield Road, Smethwick, had just left the Seven Stars pub, in Cape Hill, where she was a regular and had been walking home alone when she was attacked.

The trial continues.