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27/06/2008
Bailed Drug Addict Pleads Guilty To Rape And Murder
A man has pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of a young woman days after being released on bail over separate rape allegations.
Christopher Braithwaite, of Bentworth Road, Shepherd's Bush, west London, admitted to stabbing twenty-three-year-old Stacey Westbury at her Fulham home on 17 August, 2007. He has also pleaded guilty to sexual penetration without consent.
She was found by her father later that day. Braithwaite, 22, was arrested the following day.
It is understood Ms Westbury was alone in her flat with her 10-month-old son in pram when Braithwaite attacked her.
Prosecuting Victor Temple QC said the crime as a "particularly grave and sexually-motivated murder".
Mr Temple said that the defendant was "addicted to crack cocaine" and that he had carried out a "violent sexual assault" on a "defenceless young woman" which involved an "element of sexual abuse accompanied by strangulation".
It is reported that the victim was no more than a casual acquaintance of Bratihwaite.
The court also heard that after killing the young woman, he did not alert anyone to the presence of a young baby on its own in the flat and that he returned after the murder to steal a telephone, jewellery and a pedal bike.
The judge said a series of rape charges in relation to other victims "should be allowed to lie on file".
It is understood the judge said it was "not in the public interest" to go ahead with a trial for these offences.
It is reported that the offences relate to two other women. They include false imprisonment and actual bodily harm, involving "manual strangulation".
Braithwaite has a previous conviction for wounding after he stabbed a man in 2005.
The Metropolitan police will release a statement after Braithwaite has been sentenced.
(DS)
Christopher Braithwaite, of Bentworth Road, Shepherd's Bush, west London, admitted to stabbing twenty-three-year-old Stacey Westbury at her Fulham home on 17 August, 2007. He has also pleaded guilty to sexual penetration without consent.
She was found by her father later that day. Braithwaite, 22, was arrested the following day.
It is understood Ms Westbury was alone in her flat with her 10-month-old son in pram when Braithwaite attacked her.
Prosecuting Victor Temple QC said the crime as a "particularly grave and sexually-motivated murder".
Mr Temple said that the defendant was "addicted to crack cocaine" and that he had carried out a "violent sexual assault" on a "defenceless young woman" which involved an "element of sexual abuse accompanied by strangulation".
It is reported that the victim was no more than a casual acquaintance of Bratihwaite.
The court also heard that after killing the young woman, he did not alert anyone to the presence of a young baby on its own in the flat and that he returned after the murder to steal a telephone, jewellery and a pedal bike.
The judge said a series of rape charges in relation to other victims "should be allowed to lie on file".
It is understood the judge said it was "not in the public interest" to go ahead with a trial for these offences.
It is reported that the offences relate to two other women. They include false imprisonment and actual bodily harm, involving "manual strangulation".
Braithwaite has a previous conviction for wounding after he stabbed a man in 2005.
The Metropolitan police will release a statement after Braithwaite has been sentenced.
(DS)
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