First picture of murdered sex worker Helen Kempster released as her killer jailed
Police have released the first picture of Helen Kempster, who was raped and murdered by on grassland near the Wolverhampton city centre as her killer is jailed for a minimum of 28 years.
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Rahul Sharma carried out the brutal and sustained attack in the early hours of June 16, 2022.
Sharma had denied killing Helen Kempster who was found with fatal injuries on land off Kingsland Road. She was taken to hospital but sadly died a short time later.
Officers had been called at around 4am, with Sharma telling police he’d found her not breathing and that she'd been given CPR.
But a police investigation showed she had been viciously attacked by the 32-year-old, with her horrific ordeal lasting at least 15 minutes.
During the violent onslaught, Sharma dragged her to the ground, punched, kicked and stamped on her multiple times and throttled her.
He also told her she was going to die and he raped her.
A post mortem showed Ms Kempster, who was known to be a sex worker, had suffered such violence that more than 15 of her ribs had also been broken.
She had suffered a brain haemorrhage and one of her teeth had been knocked out.
Despite Sharma's denials throughout the investigation and trial, forensic examinations found DNA evidence from Sharma on Ms Kempster and her clothing.
Following a three-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Sharma, of Hordern Road, was convicted on 29 January of her murder and rape.
On sentencing Sharma today to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years, Judge Michael Chambers KC described Sharma as being extremely dangerous.
Sharma has also been put on the sex offender register for life.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Colclough from West Midlands Police CID, who led the murder investigation, said: “The brutality of the attack inflicted on Ms Kempster was extreme.
"It went on for many, many minutes during which time she suffered extensive injuries which ultimately claimed her life.
"Sharma denied his involvement but we have worked tirelessly to bring him before the courts and get some justice for Ms Kempster.
"And with this sentence Sharma will now be behind bars and off the streets for many years to come."
