Julie Beards, infamous for her involvement in one of the region’s most notorious killings, appeared in Birmingham Magistrates' Court on May 22, 2024, facing charges related to criminal damage and threatening behavior.
Beards, now 46 and residing on Shenstone Road, Edgbaston, previously gained notoriety after being convicted in 2016 for the manslaughter and rape of Susan Whiting. In that case, Beards assisted her then-husband, Steven Beards, who drugged the vulnerable 20-year-old woman before fatally beating her with a hammer in Walsall in August 2015.
The recent offenses occurred on February 22, 2024, during an argument at the home of Beards’ new partner’s family. Prosecutor Jonathan Purser explained that during the altercation, Beards caused damage estimated at £150, smashing a candle and a coffee machine, and made threatening remarks that alarmed those present.
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District Judge David Wain highlighted that Beards had made a threat to kill, a serious matter given her criminal record. However, due to what the judge called a “serious offence mischarge” by police and the Crown Prosecution Service, Beards was only sentenced for the lesser charges she had pleaded guilty to.
Defending counsel Naima Hussain emphasized Beards' remorse, describing her as ashamed of her behavior and denying any real intent to carry out the threats made. Hussain also noted Beards’ difficult upbringing, marked by time spent in and out of care, and confirmed that the relationship connected to the offenses had ended.
Judge Wain sentenced Beards to 12 weeks suspended for 12 months, citing her health issues and the procedural errors in charging. Additional orders included 20 days of rehabilitation activities, an eight-week curfew from 7 pm to 7 am, compensation of £150 for damages, and a £154 victim surcharge.
The courtroom appearance was marked by Beards’ understated presence, wearing casual clothes and a wrist support. Notably, the court did not revisit the details of her role in the brutal killing of Susan Whiting over a decade ago, though vague references to her past conviction were made.
Back in 2015, Julie Beards and Susan Whiting met at an adult community center and bonded over common learning difficulties. Tragically, Whiting’s visit to Beards' Bloxwich home ended in her being drugged with Zopiclone, raped by Steven Beards, and beaten to death with a hammer. Julie Beards’ involvement led to her manslaughter conviction, though she was acquitted of murder. She later admitted to rape before a planned retrial.
Psychiatric evaluations during the trial revealed Beards had the mental age of a nine-year-old and displayed characteristics such as being “babyish,” impressionable, and vulnerable, with mild learning difficulties. The court heard that Steven Beards exerted control and abuse over her, including attempts to drug her.
Despite her vulnerability, the court found that Julie Beards was aware of right and wrong and could have intervened to stop the attack on Ms. Whiting. For her role, she was sentenced in 2016 to seven years and three months in prison, serving half of that term.