‘Vicious’ attacker murdered ‘gentle’ homeless woman as she slept outside Plaistow church Harriet Brewis
A man who “viciously” murdered a homeless woman as she slept on the stairs of an east London church has been sentenced to life in prison.
Keiran Rifat, 22, fatally attacked 42-year-old Kelly Stewart outside the Barking Memorial Church in Plaistow in the early hours of 26 March last year.
Rifat hit Ms Stewart with a rock, before repeatedly stamping on her head and body, a court heard.
He then dragged her through an alleyway to the back of the church where he assaulted her further with a gas canister.