Prostitute led robbery, Stourbridge businessman murder trial told
A businessman from Stourbridge was murdered in a violent robbery led by a prostitute desperate for cash to pay off her drug dealer, a court has heard.
Emma Bate knew father-of-three Richard Sherratt as a former client who gifted her with large amounts of cash before they lost contact last May, Stafford Crown Court was told.
But when Bate ran out of money she called on the help of boyfriend Paramjit Singh and client Michael Smith to rob Mr Sherratt at his flat in Bridgnorth on June 13, prosecutor Mr Peter Grieves-Smith said.
While Smith waited in a car outside the 57-year-old's home in Old School Mews, Singh and Bate went inside at midnight before making off with his wallet, a £10,000 watch and a pair of Calvin Klein jeans.
Mr Sherratt was found dead the next day, having been punched at least five times and stabbed in the arm, Mr Grieves-Smith said. Bate, 26, of Gladstone Street, Birmingham, admits robbery and fraud, but denies murder. Smith, 51, of Horton Street, Tipton, denies a charge of robbery.
Singh, 32, of Willmore Road, Birmingham, has already pleaded guilty to murder, robbery and fraud.
Mr Grieves-Smith said: "Richard Sherratt was assaulted and sustained injuries which caused his death.
"He was struck to the face and punched at least five times and stabbed to the arm. He also had prick marks on his neck. The prosecution say that was done to extract details including his pin number."
Mr Sherratt was a successful businessman who moved to Bridgnorth from Stourbridge after starting a project on a housing development.
He was the former president of Kinver Football Club, and grew up in Kinver.
He was described to be in a poor physical condition, having been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009. The trial continues.
