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Bailed man raped and killed woman Bailed man raped and killed woman
(about 1 hour later)
A man has pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of a woman, five days after being released on police bail over separate rape allegations. A man has pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of a woman, five days after he was released on police bail over separate rape allegations.
The body of Stacey Westbury, 23, was found at her home in Fulham, west London, on 17 August 2007.The body of Stacey Westbury, 23, was found at her home in Fulham, west London, on 17 August 2007.
Christopher Braithwaite, 22, of Shepherd's Bush, west London, was arrested the following day.Christopher Braithwaite, 22, of Shepherd's Bush, west London, was arrested the following day.
The judge said a series of rape charges in relation to other victims should be allowed to lie on file.The judge said a series of rape charges in relation to other victims should be allowed to lie on file.
Ms Westbury was alone in her flat with her 10-month- old son in the pram when Braithwaite carried out his attack. Miss Westbury was alone in her flat with her 10-month- old son in the pram when Braithwaite carried out his attack.
Sexually-motivated She was discovered by her father, Kenneth Westbury, later the same day.
She was discovered by her father later the same day. He said the day he found her body would "haunt me for the rest of my life".
He said he had felt "the most awful pain" but also "white hot rage" because of what had happened to her.
"I feel so guilty I was not there to protect my little girl," he added.
Braithwaite attacked his victim while she was alone in her flat
Her mother Lorraine said their grandson had nightmares and became hysterical if strangers came to the house.
Prosecutor Victor Temple QC said the crime was "a particularly grave sexually-motivated murder".Prosecutor Victor Temple QC said the crime was "a particularly grave sexually-motivated murder".
"This defendant, addicted to crack cocaine carried out a violent sexual assault on a defenceless young woman which in turn involved an element of sexual abuse accompanied by strangulation," Mr Temple added. "This defendant, addicted to crack cocaine, carried out a violent sexual assault on a defenceless young woman which in turn involved an element of sexual abuse accompanied by strangulation," Mr Temple added.
He said the victim, who had a boyfriend, was no more than an acquaintance of Braithwaite, to whom she sometimes said "hello". A post-mortem examination also found she had been stabbed.
Forensic evidence
He said that after the killing Braithwaite did nothing to alert anyone to the presence of a baby on its own in the flat, and that he returned after the murder to steal a telephone, some jewellery and a pedal bike.He said that after the killing Braithwaite did nothing to alert anyone to the presence of a baby on its own in the flat, and that he returned after the murder to steal a telephone, some jewellery and a pedal bike.
Afterwards he tried to blame a friend who had been with him that day but police found no forensic evidence linking the friend to the crime.
Mr Temple said after Braithwaite was arrested over claims of rape and false imprisonment on 9 August he was questioned and released on police bail.Mr Temple said after Braithwaite was arrested over claims of rape and false imprisonment on 9 August he was questioned and released on police bail.
Disadvantaged family
"There were, of course, possible potential allegations to be charged against him," he said. "He wasn't charged at the time.""There were, of course, possible potential allegations to be charged against him," he said. "He wasn't charged at the time."
Braithwaite was subsequently charged over the alleged rape, but the charges, and others relating to another woman, were all allowed to lie on file.Braithwaite was subsequently charged over the alleged rape, but the charges, and others relating to another woman, were all allowed to lie on file.
The charges include rape, false imprisonment and actual bodily harm, involving "manual strangulation".The charges include rape, false imprisonment and actual bodily harm, involving "manual strangulation".
Oliver Blunt QC, defending, said Braithwaite was suffering from a personality disorder, worsened by his use of drugs and that came from a "somewhat disadvantaged family".
Braithwaite had a previous conviction for wounding after he stabbed a man in 2005.Braithwaite had a previous conviction for wounding after he stabbed a man in 2005.
On Friday, Braithwaite pleaded guilty to murder and sexual penetration without consent. Braithwaite pleaded guilty to murder and sexual penetration without consent and will be sentenced later.