A violent offender who beat his carer to death with a brick before using her credit card on a shopping spree has been handed a life sentence.
David Walsh, 36, strangled and attacked Irene Mbugua, 46, during a cocaine-fuelled outburst and left her semi-naked body inside his home as it became flooded.
The mother-of-four's body was discovered at the property in Winson Green, Birmingham, in June last year after her concerned employer was unable to contact her.
Officers found her remains partially concealed beneath debris from the kitchen ceiling, which had caved in due to flooding from the bathroom above. In the meantime, Walsh had used his victim's bank card on a spending spree, purchasing clothing from JD Sports.
Walsh previously admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and four charges of assaulting an emergency worker.
He was handed a life sentence at Birmingham Crown Court and must serve a minimum term of 11 years and 39 months before being eligible for release.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Wall said: 'This was a brutal and motiveless killing. The victim was your live-in carer who was employed to assist you. You acknowledge how much help she had provided to you before you did what you did.'
'The moving and dignified statements of her 17-year-old son and sister-in-law describe the consequences of your actions.'
The last anyone heard from Irene Mbugua was just after 6pm on June 21 last year when she sent a text message from your home to her fellow worker.
'The attack on her must have begun shortly afterwards. A later trawl of CCTV footage revealed that screams could be heard at 6.30pm which went on for some time.'
'You strangled her and hit her about the head ten times with a brick. You strangled her before killing her. She must have been terrified in the moments leading up to her death.'
Michelle Heeley KC, prosecuting, explained: 'Irene Mbugua was a carer, she was employed by a care agency called Avida Supported Living and one of the people she cared for was this defendant.'
'He needed someone with him all of the time to help with his mental health needs; he had previously been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, ADHD, Asperger's, autism, learning difficulties and depression.'
'He had previously lived in a house share but since the start of 2024 had lived on his own in Markby Road, in the Winson Green area of Birmingham and carers would go to his home and stay with him.'
The carers would 'clock in' with their employers at certain times during the day, to let them know they were ok. Ms Mbugua was scheduled to spend a fortnight with the defendant beginning on June 10 last year and was required to check in three times daily with her employer to verify everything was in order.
She had sent a message on June 21 stating that Walsh was doing the washing up in the bathroom following damage to the kitchen tap. Miss Heeley continued: 'Subsequent investigation suggests that Irene Mbugua died shortly after sending that video at 1811 hrs on 21st June.'
Miss Heeley explained her colleague grew worried and visited the address but received no response. He contacted the police and upon arrival officers forced entry only to be met by the defendant emerging from the bathroom 'completely naked and screaming.'
The court was told Walsh behaved aggressively and attempted to bite officers, requiring them to deploy Pava spray to restrain him.
CCTV footage captured Walsh departing the address on multiple occasions when he used the victim's bank card at a convenience store and also to purchase clothing at JD Sports which he changed into.
A post-mortem examination determined Ms Mbugua had died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Phil Bradley, defending, stated: 'For the majority of the time Ms Mbugua had a positive relationship with him and helped him.'
Following the case, Detective Inspector Michelle Cordell, of West Midlands Police, commented: 'Our thoughts throughout have remained with Irene's family and loved ones at what has been an unimaginably difficult time for them.'
'The circumstances of this case are heartbreaking. Irene's life was cut short by someone she was providing care for. My investigators have worked tirelessly to understand the circumstances surrounding Irene's death, and to provide answers for Irene's family.'
Ms Mbugua's family said in a statement after sentencing: 'No matter what the sentence is it will never bring Irene back. Our concerns are there are thousands of Irenes out there who may be at risk. This is so sad, it could, and should have been avoided. Our love forever is with Irene, Rest in Peace.'
