WESLEY STREETE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CRIME IN TAMPWORTH AND WIGGINTON PARK

Wesley Streete, a man from Tamworth, has been handed down a severe prison sentence after being convicted of a brutal and heinous crime that shocked the local community and drew widespread media attention. The court proceedings revealed that in September 2019, Streete, then aged 20, committed a grievous act of violence against his friend Keeley Bunker, who was celebrating her 20th birthday at the time.

According to court records, Streete lured Keeley Bunker into trusting him to walk her home following a night out. Tragically, this trust was shattered when he subjected her to a violent assault that culminated in her death. The court heard that after raping Keeley, Streete disposed of her body in a brook located at Wigginton Park, a well-known recreational area in Tamworth. His actions included hiding her body beneath branches, attempting to conceal the crime from authorities and the public.

The case took a disturbing turn as it was revealed that Streete had a troubling history of sexual offenses. Prior to this incident, he had been convicted of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving three other victims. This pattern of predatory behavior underscored the severity of his character and the danger he posed to others.

During the trial, Streete's attempts to explain his actions were marked by deception and inconsistency. Initially, he claimed that he had left Keeley alone after their night out, but he later altered his account multiple times. At one point, he even suggested that he might have accidentally killed her during sexual activity, a claim that the court dismissed as part of a series of falsehoods aimed at covering up his crime. The judge, Mr. Justice Jeremy Baker, described the attack as particularly violent, noting that Streete had used a choke-hold that lasted for several minutes, ultimately causing her death.

Justice Baker stated, "What took place in Wigginton Park is you proceeded to rape Keeley Bunker, in the course of which you murdered her by throttling her, in all probability by placing her in a choke-hold for sufficient period of time to kill her." The court emphasized that Streete's actions were premeditated and executed with a calculated intent to conceal his crime.

Following the assault, Streete chose to walk back home, where he went to bed and slept, showing a disturbing lack of remorse or concern for his victim. Keeley's family, including her mother Debbie Watkins and her sister, expressed profound grief and sorrow over her loss. They highlighted how her untimely death robbed them of her vibrant personality, her dreams, and her future ambitions.

The court sentenced Streete to a minimum of 29 years and 46 days in prison. The sentence leaves open the possibility of parole, but only if the Parole Board determines he no longer poses a threat to society. Even if released, Streete will remain on lifelong licence and be subject to recall if he breaches any conditions. Senior investigating officer Det Insp Cheryl Hannan welcomed the verdict, describing Streete as a manipulative and devious individual who had lied repeatedly and targeted young women, including Keeley Bunker, in a calculated and malicious manner.