There are some really disturbing crimes that come out of “first world” countries. I mean, we have our own stuff going down here, but what you’re about to hear is a tad weird – and I’m not just talking about their names.

Edward Tenniswood, 52, allegedly raped and murdered barmaid India Chipchase, 20, and is currently standing trial at the Birmingham Crown Court in the UK.

Her body was found in his home, covered with a sheet on a mattress, and postmortem results have concluded that India died from pressure to her neck. There was also evidence of blunt force trauma to her head and face, and it appeared India put up a struggle.

Here’s India:

Edward, below, denies killing her, saying her death was a surprise even though the two had “vigorous” sex.

As the trial continues, the court heard the accused’s side of the story, during which he explains that he had a night of disappointments. Here’s a snippet, thanks to the Northampton Chronicle, that details how he first met India:

 

The court heard Tenniswood began talking to a group of three men and women who he had never met before. Tenniswood said he only drank two pints of cider and then moved off with the group after the [Moon on the Square] pub closed.

He said they all went to the Boston Clipper but decided not to go in as they did not want to pay the entrance fee.

The jury were told he then went to Bridge Street with one of the group, Russell Minns, who Tenniswood said was being “very irritating”.

Tenniswood said: “He was becoming very irritating. He kept saying to me ‘Can I come back to yours?’

“I thought it was obvious that I was not that way inclined but I am quite over-polite so I put up with it.”

Tenniswood said he first came into contact with Miss Chipchase when she was standing in the queue.

He said he then began speaking to her after he was refused entry to NB’s.

Tenniswood said: “I think she said ‘you’ve been refused too’

“She appeared to be [looking] very intently on her phone. She seemed anxious, it was making her unhappy. I saw her wipe away a tear at one point.”

Just the tone of that explanation is weird AF.

The rest of Edward’s statement – HERE – is just as bizarre, but we are going to have to wait for the trial to progress before we hear the finer details.

Meanwhile her father (feature image above) and boyfriend (below), who both live in Adelaide, New Zealand, have expressed extreme sadness and solidarity with India on social media.

How do you even deal with something like this?

[source:northamptonchron&9news&mirror]