A former British soldier has appeared in court charged with the murder of a young Kenyan mother, whose significantly decomposed body was discovered in a septic tank over a decade ago.
The Night Agnes Wanjiru Disappeared
Robert James Purkiss stood before Westminster Magistrates' Court facing allegations he murdered 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in March 2012. The court heard that Purkiss was deployed to Nanyuki, Kenya, for a six-week British Army training exercise between February and April that year.
Prosecutor Joel Smith KC detailed how soldiers, including Purkiss, were given two days leave on March 31 and April 1, 2012. During this time off, the soldiers would reportedly go into town, "drink heavily" and "pay local women for sex".
On the night of March 31, 2012, Ms Wanjiru had left her baby daughter with a friend and gone out with two companions. Both the soldiers and Ms Wanjiru's group ended up at the Lions Court Hotel, where some soldiers had booked accommodation.
The Alleged Crime and Discovery
The last sighting of Agnes Wanjiru alive was as she left the hotel with a soldier, the court was told. As she departed, she reportedly told a friend in her local language that she was going to "hustle for my daughter".
When Ms Wanjiru failed to return home the next day to collect her daughter, friends grew concerned and reported her missing to police on April 2, 2012. Her body was discovered two months later on June 5, 2012, decomposing in a septic tank within the hotel grounds.
The court heard that a post-mortem examination identified a 2cm stab wound to her lower abdomen and a collapsed lung. Prosecutors stated the body was "significantly decomposed" when found.
Confessions and Extradition Battle
Mr Smith told the court that colleagues of Purkiss had informed military police in Kenya that the former soldier had confessed to killing Ms Wanjiru. Shockingly, prosecutors alleged he had even joked about her death in Facebook messages.
Purkiss is now fighting extradition to Kenya to face the murder charge. His lawyer, David Josse, stated that his client "vehemently denies" the allegation.
The case continues at Westminster Magistrates' Court as authorities determine whether Purkiss should be extradited to stand trial in Kenya for the murder that has remained unresolved for over a decade.
