NEASDEN COUPLE GUILTY OF KILLING PENSIONER FOR HER MONEY
A robber has been found guilty of murdering a 71-year-old woman and stealing £13,000 from her bank account.Xyaire Howard, 23, and his girlfriend Chelsea Grant, 28, both from Press Road, Neasden, were remanded into custody until sentencing.
Howard was convicted of murder, assault, and associated crimes, having bound and strangled Susan Hawkey to obtain her PIN.
Her body was discovered about three weeks later, in a state of decomposition, hidden under a duvet in her home.
Grant was cleared of murder but found guilty of three counts of robbery and one of attempted robbery.
The court heard that the victim, Ms Hawkey, was highly vulnerable and lived an isolated life.
The defendants identified her as an "ideal victim" last summer.
Evidence showed her body was found with her hands taped behind her back, her eyes taped shut, and a ligature around her neck.
The victim's bank account was depleted from over £16,000 to just £3,434 as the offenders bought various items including perfume, a television, and clothes.
They also transferred money to accounts in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Sentencing is scheduled for 8 December at the Old Bailey.
