The body under the duvet

A couple accused of murdering a pensioner and spending £14,000 with her bank cards will enter pleas in March next year.

Susan Hawkey, 70, was found ‘heavily decomposed’ under a duvet in her flat in Neasden, northwest London, on 26 September after police forced entry.

Detectives found brown parcel tape on her face and around her wrists, with her hands together behind her back, the Old Bailey heard.

Ms Hawkey is thought to have died between 2 and 7 September.

Chelsea Grant, 27, and Xyaire Howard, 22, originally from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean, are charged with murder and two counts of fraud by false representation for using Ms Hawkey’s bank cards.

It is claimed the couple were responsible for 143 transactions between 7 and 27 September, totalling £14,000.

Grant appeared in court today (weds) while Howard refused to attend as their plea and trial preparation hearing was adjourned for three months.

Prosecutor Ben Holt earlier said: ‘On 26 September this year police were called to 56A Aylesbury Street by a neighbour of Ms Hawkey.

‘The neighbour…was concerned that she had not seen Ms Hawkey for a number of weeks.

‘On 17 September she noticed that Ms Hawkey’s recycling bin was still on the road.

‘Having still not seen her by 26 September she called the police.

‘Police forced entry.

‘Concealed under a duvet they found the heavily decomposed body of Ms Hawkey.

‘On examination…the deceased’s hands were noted to have been tied behind her back with fabric and brown parcel tape.

‘Parcel tape may have been wrapped around the deceased’s head to gag her.’

Mr Holt added: ‘The body of Ms Hawkey was badly decomposed.

‘As things stand the cause of death has not been ascertained.’

The couple were remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on 17 March.

A provisional trial date has been set for 4 September.

Grant and Howard, of Press Road, Neasden, are charged murder and two counts of fraud by false representation.