Man found guilty of woman’s murder

A man has been found guilty of the murder of a woman in Stafford.

Wayne Bond, 45, of Stafford, was found guilty of the murder of 31-year-old Rebecca (Beckii) Simkin by a jury today (2 July) following a ten-day trial at Stafford Crown Court.

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 Beckii is not seen on any CCTV after that time.

Several residents of the flats said they heard a woman screaming late on Thursday 25 and in the early hours of Friday 26 July.

Bond had returned to his flat at 10am on Monday 29 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.

In a statement, Rebecca’s mother and step-father, Julie and Michael Riglar, said: “Beckii was an amazing mum and loving daughter. Beckii had her faults but she never deserved to die this way.

“We would like to thank Staffordshire Police for their hard work on the investigation into Beckii’s murder, with special thanks to the family liaison officers, and investigators conducting the investigation.”

Detective Inspector Gina Pope, of our Major Investigations Department, said: “Our thoughts remain with Beckii’s family and friends.

“Beckii was tragically subjected to a violent assault which sadly led to her death.

“Bond showed absolute cowardice in failing to report Beckii’s death and leaving her in his flat for a number of days and for failing to give evidence during the trial.

“I’d like to thank Beckii’s family, friends and the staff and residents of Eagle House, where she died, who have supported the investigation.”

Bond is due to be sentenced on Friday (4 July).