An alleged killer who was 'trusted' to walk his female friend home instead raped and murdered her before concealing her body in undergrowth, a court has heard.
Keeley Bunker, 20, was discovered by her uncle Jason Roberts lying face-down in a pool in a park in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on September 19 last year, hours after she was reported missing.
The prosecution allege that Ms Bunker, who was just 4ft 11in and weighed six-and-a-half stone, was killed by 'trusted' friend Wesley Streete, who tried to cover up her body with branches in Wiggington Park, a jury was told.
Her leggings and underwear had been pulled down and were 'twisted over and around her trainers'.
Mr Roberts screamed 'No!' when he spotted the body of his missing niece and realised what he had found after seeing dark, matted hair and the glint of her bracelet.
Keeley Bunker, 20, was discovered by her uncle, lying face-down in a pool in a park in Tamworth, Staffordshire
Ms Bunker had celebrated her birthday just days earlier and was due to attend a job interview later that day - but never arrived, Stafford Crown Court heard on Monday.
There was evidence that she had been strangled.
Streete, also 20, of no fixed address, told the victim's best friend that he would walk Ms Bunker home safely, but prosecutors have alleged he told 'lie after lie', claiming she was still alive when they parted ways.
He is also accused of two further counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and a charge of sexual activity with a child.
Jurors heard that, on the evening of Wednesday September 18, Ms Bunker had been to a concert at Birmingham's O2 Institute to see rapper Aitch with a close female friend.
The pair arranged to go clubbing afterwards with Streete.
Streete was described as 'very drunk' at the club, having 'three drinks for every one' the girls had, and was downing double vodka Red Bulls.
After getting a taxi back to Tamworth, Ms Bunker's friend offered her a bed for the night, suggesting she 'walk home later in the morning', said Jacob Hallam QC, prosecuting, opening the Crown's case.
He added: 'But Keeley refused - tragically - saying she was tired and wanted to sleep in her own bed.'
She told her friend: 'I've got Wes, Wes lives near me, Wes will walk me back, it'll be fine.'
Wesley Streete leaves North Staffordshire Justice Centre after being charged with the murder
Mr Hallam said: 'As the afternoon of Thursday September 19 2019 wore on, Keeley Bunker's family became increasingly concerned about her welfare and her safety.
'She had been out the night before, Wednesday, through to Thursday, with two friends.
'One of them, the Crown say, proved to be rather better than the other.
'The second was this defendant, Wesley Streete.
'Although Keeley had left her friend's home, to make her way home in the early hours of the morning, she did not return on what should have been a walk of perhaps 20 minutes or so across the centre of Tamworth.
'She did not answer her telephone, she had not been to a job interview she was due to attend on Thursday, and nobody - but nobody - had seen her.
'At about 5.30pm that Thursday, her father, Christopher, reported her missing to police and searches were organised for her.'
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