A Birmingham man has been convicted of murdering his neighbour before heartlessly raiding the victim's bank account for personal purchases.
The Discovery and Investigation
Anthony Sharma was discovered dead by his landlady at his HMO property on Doidge Road in Erdington at approximately 1pm on November 10, 2023. The discovery prompted immediate calls to emergency services, leading to the arrest of his neighbour, Diogo Bettencourt, just thirty minutes later at around 1.30pm.
Bettencourt, aged 27, had been seen with Anthony on the evening of November 8, 2023. The two men were captured on CCTV visiting an off-licence together before returning to the shared property at around 10.30pm. This would prove to be the final confirmed sighting of Anthony Sharma alive.
The Callous Aftermath
In a shocking display of cold-heartedness, Bettencourt was recorded on camera walking alone just four hours later, where he attempted to use Anthony's bank card to withdraw cash.
Throughout the following day, November 9, Bettencourt proceeded to make multiple fraudulent transactions, successfully withdrawing cash and purchasing various goods using his murdered neighbour's card.
When police discovered Anthony's body, it had been concealed inside a sleeping bag. A subsequent forensic post-mortem examination revealed the victim had suffered multiple injuries, including significant head trauma and stab wounds.
Justice Served After Two-Year Wait
At Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Bettencourt was found guilty of murder. He had previously pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation for his unauthorised use of the bank card.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Damian Forrest commented on the case, stating: "Throughout this investigation our thoughts have been with Anthony's family who have patiently waited for two years to see justice be done and we hope that this conviction can ease some of the pain and sadness which they continue to endure."
DI Forrest described Bettencourt's actions as "callous", emphasising how the murderer had continued with his daily routine after killing Anthony, even proceeding to use his bank card for purchases. The detective added that thankfully, Bettencourt would now be spending a considerable amount of time behind bars.
During police interviews, Bettencourt provided a 'no comment' response to all questions. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for a later date.
