A man had gone on trial in a Birmingham Crown Court for allegedly raping and murdering a 72-year-old grandmother in her bungalow.
According to reports, 26-year-old Craig Keogh raped and smothered Jane Hings with her pillow during a drink and drug-fuelled attack in the early hours of September 24 last year.
He was alleged to have taken cocaine before the incident.
The grandmother was found dead in her bed at her bungalow in Fleckney, Staffordshire.
Prosecutor Mary Prior said Keogh, now 27, had been on a night out in Oadby before getting a taxi home, walking to Mrs Hings’ home in Elizabeth Road, and breaking in.
She said the accused raped Mrs. Hings twice, killed her before stealing her wedding and engagement rings from her fingers, along with her purse, handbag, cash and other items.
She said:
Craig Keogh went into Jane Hings’ house while she was in bed. While she was alive she was raped. She was also smothered – we think by the pillow that was found under her head.
She was found by two carers who visited her daily because she was ‘frail’ after a fall.
Keogh’s DNA was found inside the victim’s body and his baseball cap was found behind her bed.
Keogh, who occasionally walked Mrs Hings’ dogs, denies the crime.
A bar worn in a tongue piercing was also found on Mrs Hings’ body.
Keogh told detectives he had previously agreed with Mrs Hings to go over that night and have sex with her.
He claimed he went over on the evening of September 23 and she paid him £200.
However, Mrs Prior said CCTV evidence from Oadby disproved that version of events.
