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Search forTeen cleared of murdering transexual
Friday, August 22, 2008, 07:00
Shanniel Hyatt, 18, of Northborough Road, Thorn- ton Heath, admitted being with her on the night of her death and stealing her mobile phone, freeview box and DVD player.
But a jury believed the teenager when he said he left Miss Telesford "fit and well" and had not strangled her with her scarf.
Joanna Greenberg QC, defending, suggested the 39-year-old could have died during a "kinky sex game" with another man after Hyatt left her flat in Leander Road, Thornton Heath.
Miss Greenburg said: "Her dressing gown showed signs of perhaps quite vigorous sexual activity.
"It doesn't exclude the possibility that the strangulation was either self-inflicted or was part of a consensual act with a partner."
After four hours of deliberation, the Old Bailey jury cleared Hyatt of murder and an alternative of manslaughter last Thursday.
But he now faces being kicked out of the country as an illegal immigrant.
The Jamaican was told he will remain in custody facing deportation.
After the verdict a police spokesman revealed that with a conviction not secured the case would be looked at again.
He said: "As is procedure in these circumstances the case will be reviewed before any decision regarding future action is made."
Miss Telesford had been born Kayode Dexter Telesford in Trinidad, but had been living as a woman for five years after moving to England.
Despite this her relatives in the Caribbean were unaware of her decision and only learnt about her new life after she died.
She met Hyatt outside the beauty salon where she worked in London Road, Norbury, on November 17 last year after telling colleagues she was going for a drink with a "handsome light-skinned guy".
They then headed to Miss Telesford's flat.
The victim spoke to several friends through the night on the phone as she and Hyatt had a couple of drinks and watched DVDs.
She last chatted to someone at 3am the following morning "and seemed fine" but was never heard from or seen alive again.
The court heard Hyatt left the flat at 6am carrying a large bag and was caught on camera getting on a bus 15 minutes later, using Miss Telesford's Oyster card.
He later sold her DVD player and freeview box for £10 and offered her mobile phone to his girlfriend, the Old Bailey heard.
Miss Telesford's friends became concerned for her safety when she failed to answer their calls.
Police smashed open her door on November 21 and discovered a brown scarf wrapped twice around her neck.
After her death friends left tributes on the Advertiser's website.
One wrote: "Kellie was a beautiful person with a heart of gold."
Hyatt was arrested eight days later but he denied reacting violently after discovering she was a pre-op transsexual during the date.
TRAGIC: Kellie Telesford was found dead at her home
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