Wolverhampton man convicted of murder

Helen Kempster was found in the early hours of June 16 in 2022

Author: Claire EmmsPublished 29th Jan 2025

A Wolverhampton man has been convicted of the murder of a woman who was found with fatal injuries on grassland near the city centre.

Helen Kempster was found in the early hours of June 16, 2022, off Kingsland Road. She was taken to hospital but sadly died a short time later.

Officers had been called at around 4am, where Rahul Sharma told police he’d found her not breathing and that she'd been given CPR.

But the investigation showed that she had been brutally attacked by the 32-year-old, who had demanded money back from her, dragged her to the ground, kicked and punched her repeatedly and assaulted her.

A post mortem showed Ms Kempster, who was known to be a sex worker, had suffered such violence that one of her teeth had been knocked out. A number of her ribs had been broken and she had suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Forensic examinations also found DNA evidence from Sharma on Ms Kempster and her clothing.

Sharma, of Hordern Road, had denied rape and murder, but following a three-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court the jury today (29 January) found him guilty of both charges.

Det Chief Insp Jim Colclough from Force CID, who led the investigation, said: “It appears that this attack came after Sharma accused his victim of having a small amount of his money.

“But his actions were violent and sustained and ultimately took Ms Kempster's life.

"We have worked tirelessly to bring him before the courts and see that his actions have resulted in him being convicted of her murder.”

Sharma will be sentenced at a date to be set.

West Midlands Police work with partner organisations to offer support to women in sex work, among these partners is The Changing Lives Iris project in Wolverhampton.

As well as offering help to improve health and personal safety, confidence is also built up to report crimes that occur while they are working.

Drop-in sessions are held in Walsall and Wolverhampton, as well as targeted night-time outreach, to help reach those who most in need of support.

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