Man sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a woman in Stafford
Bond was found guilty by a jury following a ten-day trial - he'll serve a minimum of just over 19 years
A man from Stafford has been jailed for the murder of a woman in the town.
Wayne Bond, aged 45, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years and 27 days to serve before he can apply for parole at Stafford Crown Court this morning (Friday 4th July) for the murder of Rebecca (Beckii) Simkin.
Bond was found guilty by a jury following a ten-day trial at the same court earlier this week.
CCTV showed Bond and Rebecca, of Stafford, together on Newport Road, Stafford, at approximately 7.40pm on Tuesday 23 July 2024. Rebecca can be clearly seen on the footage without any injuries.
Footage shows them enter Bond’s flat 9.15pm. Rebecca didn’t live at Eagle House, she was just visiting. She had been signed in but never signed out and Rebecca is not seen on any CCTV after that time.
Several residents of the flats said they heard a woman screaming late on Thursday 25th July and in the early hours of Friday 26th July.
Bond returned to his flat at 10am on Monday 29th July 2024 and told a member of staff that a woman who had been staying in his room had passed away. He said they had a squabble. Rebecca’s body was found wrapped in a blanket underneath an upturned sofa and she was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later and Bond was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Detective Inspector Gina Pope, from Staffordshire Police's Major Investigations Department, said:
“My thoughts remain with Beckii’s family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened. I hope the verdict will bring them some form of justice. Now Bond faces the consequences of his actions.
“I’d like to again thank Beckii’s family, friends and the staff and residents of Eagle House, where she died, who have supported the investigation throughout.”