Susan Whiting murder: Mother breaks down in tears as jury told of the last time she saw her daughter
A Walsall mother broke down in tears as she told a murder jury of the last time she had seen her daughter alive.
Maureen Whiting was giving evidence yesterday at the trial of Steven and Julie Beards who are accused of killing her daughter Susan Whiting.
She said: "I saw her walk away with her One Direction backpack on.
"She was great, we were mates. She was friendly, lovely."
The mother said she had adopted Susan when she was three years old and that her daughter had learning difficulties.
Leicester Crown Court later heard that Steven Beards who is also accused of raping the student lied to police about seeing her the day before she was found dead.
Susan Whiting was discovered half-naked and wrapped in a shower curtain underneath a bed at a home in Heather Close, Dudley Fields, on Tuesday, August 18.
Steven Beards initially told police he was at the house, home to his wife Julie who is also accused of murder, at around 7am on the Monday morning. He said he saw Miss Whiting and offered to walk her home but she declined, the jury heard.
But when the 34-year-old, who declared himself as homeless, was later arrested by police he said he had not seen her on the day.
The court also heard from the police officer who discovered Miss Whiting's body. Pc Martin Beebee, of West Midlands Police, who arrested Beards, took the stand yesterday at the trial.
When questioned by prosecutor Mr Gareth Evans QC about the original conversation he told the court: "He said Susan was up and Julie was still in bed. While he was there Susan left. He asked her if she would like him to walk her home and the offer was refused."
But Pc Beebee later told the jury that when Beards was arrested and sitting in the police car he said 'I didn't see Susan Monday morning'.
It is alleged that Miss Whiting stayed at Julie Beards' home in Heather Close on the night of Sunday, August 16. The prosecution case is that she was drugged, raped and killed before her body was hidden under the bed at the property.
Steven Beards denies murder and rape and Julie Beards, 35, denies murder. The trial continues.
