Xyaire Howard, 23, has been found guilty of murdering 71-year-old Susan Hawkey and stealing £13,000 from her bank account in Neasden, London. Howard bound and strangled Ms. Hawkey to obtain her PIN. Her decomposing body was discovered several weeks later in her home.
Both Howard and his girlfriend, Chelsea Grant, 28, who lived nearby, had previously robbed Ms. Hawkey multiple times. They admitted to fraudulently using her bank card. While Grant was cleared of murder, she was found guilty of multiple counts of robbery and attempted robbery.
Ms. Hawkey was a vulnerable elderly woman living an isolated life. After the crime, her bank account balance was significantly depleted as the defendants made various purchases and sent money abroad.
Sentencing for Howard and Grant is scheduled for December 8th at the Old Bailey.