Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Aug 17

Father, Daughter Accused of Dumping 36-Year-Old Woman's Body in Canal After Murder

Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Aug 17

Father, Daughter Accused of Dumping 36-Year-Old Woman's Body in Canal After Murder

Q: How did a disabled father and daughter use a wheelchair to transport and sink a murdered woman's body in a canal?

Prosecutors say the father and daughter used John Anslow’s wheelchair to move Chereiss Bailey’s body from his home to the canal, then weighted it so it would sink. At Birmingham Crown Court, the jury heard that after Bailey was allegedly killed at Anslow’s Stour Street home, her body was placed in his wheelchair in the early hours of the morning. CCTV evidence is said to show Anslow, 65, pushing the wheelchair while his daughter, Hayley-Marie Ferguson, 42, walked alongside as they travelled about 600 to 800 metres toward the canal off Ryders Green Road in West Bromwich. According to the prosecution, once they reached the canal bank, Bailey’s body was pushed into the water. The court heard that paving slabs had been attached to or added to the body, reportedly with twine, to weigh it down and reduce the chance of it being discovered. The prosecution says the pair acted to conceal the alleged killing, despite both having mobility issues. Michael Duck KC told jurors there was “no dispute” that the figures captured on CCTV were Bailey’s body in the wheelchair, Anslow pushing it and Ferguson accompanying him. Anslow denies murdering Bailey but has admitted preventing a lawful and decent burial. Ferguson denies preventing a lawful and decent burial and assisting an offender. The case continues.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 17

Birmingham Crown Court heard John Anslow, 65, and Hayley-Marie Ferguson, 42, allegedly pushed Chereiss Bailey's body 600 to 800 metres in a wheelchair, weighted it with paving slabs and dumped it in a West Bromwich canal.
Prosecutors say Bailey, 36, was attacked inside Anslow's home on 27 September after he engaged her services, suffering facial fractures, widespread bruising and strangulation before her body was found two days later.
Anslow admits preventing a lawful and decent burial but denies murder; Ferguson denies preventing a lawful and decent burial and assisting an offender, and is not charged with murder.
CCTV is said to show the pair moving the body despite both having mobility issues, while prosecutors argued Ferguson later disposed of evidence and acted out of "extraordinary" loyalty to her father.
The trial, opened on 17 August, is expected to last two to three weeks.