Ex-Soldier in Court: Kenyan Woman Murder Case – UK News

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British Soldier Faces Extradition to Kenya in 2012 Murder Case of Agnes Wanjiru

A Kenyan woman’s death near a British army base in 2012 has resurfaced with the appearance of a former soldier in a UK court,as extradition proceedings began on Friday. Robert Purkiss, 38, from Greater Manchester, is accused of murder in connection with the death of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old hairdresser and mother.

Extradition Proceedings Begin in Westminster

Purkiss appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 17, 2023, and indicated his intention to contest the extradition request from Kenyan authorities. He was arrested on the evening of November 16, 2023, following the issuance of an arrest warrant by a Nairobi court in September. The Kenyan prosecution alleges Purkiss committed a single count of murder and seeks his return to face trial.

Did you know?– The Lions Court hotel, where Wanjiru was last seen, remains operational in Nanyuki, Kenya. It continues to serve as lodging for tourists and those traveling through the region.

Background: The Disappearance and Death of Agnes Wanjiru

Wanjiru vanished after a night out in March 2012 and her body was discovered two months later,on june 5,2012,decomposing in a septic tank on the grounds of the Lions Court hotel in Nanyuki,Kenya. She had left her baby daughter with a friend before going out. A post-mortem examination revealed a 2cm stab wound to the lower abdomen and a collapsed lung.

Pro tip:– Extradition treaties are agreements between countries allowing for the transfer of individuals accused or convicted of crimes. The UK and Kenya have a defense agreement facilitating such processes.

Allegations of Misconduct and a Renewed Examination

The case remained unsolved for nearly a decade until a renewed investigation was launched following a 2021 report by The Sunday Times. The newspaper’s investigation involved interviews with current and former soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, the infantry regiment for the north-west of England. Purkiss formerly served as a medic with the regiment,including deployments to Afghanistan.

Reader question:– Kenya’s legal system operates under a common law framework,inherited from British colonial rule. This influences it’s criminal justice procedures and evidentiary standards.

Details Presented to the Court

Presenting the case for the Home Office, Joel smith KC detailed the circumstances surrounding wanjiru’s death to the court.He stated the alleged events unfolded between February and April 2012, while British soldiers were in Nanyuki for a six-week training exercise.

Smith outlined evidence suggesting a pattern of behavior among the soldiers during their time off. “There is evidence that when the soldiers were given time off,they would go into town,drink heavily,and they would pay local women for sex,” he told the court.

On the night of March 31, 2012, Smith explained, soldiers from the regiment went drinking in nanyuki and many, including Purkiss, ended up at the Lions Court hotel. Some soldiers had booked rooms at the hotel, and Wanjiru and two friends also visited the establishment that evening.

Last Known Moments

According to Smith, Wanjiru was last seen alive leaving the hotel with a soldier. Before departing, she reportedly told a friend she was going to “hustle for her daughter.” She was never seen alive again,and her friends reported her missing on April 2,2012,after she failed to return home to her