Murder suspect, 13, was 'seen crying'
A teenager accused of murdering a woman in a Smethwick street was seen upset, crying and shaking not long afterwards, a court heard.
The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was said to be seen in Victoria Park shaken and in tears.
Another witness described him as being in a state of disbelief.
Glynis Bensley, aged 47, died in Cheshire Road after being robbed and brutally beaten on September 3.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday how a passer-by thought her slumped body in the street was someone changing a tyre.
The prosecution says Miss Bensley, of Rosefield Road, was punched in the head and stamped in the face before being stripped of her money, mobile phone, cigarettes and jewellery.
The youth has admitted robbery and manslaughter but denies her murder, for which he now stands trial. He appears alongside 20-year-old Zoheb Majid, of Cheshire Road, who denies all charges. During yesterday's hearing, the jury was told how Ms Bensley, who had short hair, was mistaken for a man when she was found on the pavement.
Witness Claire Williams-Sinclair, who was in Victoria Park with a group of people, said the teenager arrived and started to get upset.
She told the jury: "He said that he punched 'him', he fell back and hit his head off the kerb. He mentioned a gold bracelet – 'we only wanted the gold bracelet'."
Under cross-examination she was asked if the youth was crying and replied 'yes'.
The 13 year-old then went to the home of Tania Paulo.
She said: "As I remember, he said he couldn't believe what had happened. It was like it hadn't sunk into him. What I was told that evening he had gone out with his friend. They were looking for somebody to rob.
"They came across this male looking person and they decided this was their target."
When asked about how the teenager appeared, she added: "It was like he didn't realise what he had done but his body was reacting, he was shaking.
The trial continues.
