Brian Whitelock killed Wendy Buckney in August 2022, three years after his release from prison. (Image: South Wales Police)
A man who was released early from a life sentence for double murder in 2001 has been found guilty of murdering his neighbour.
Bryan Whitelock murdered retired horse-riding instructor Wendy Buckney using a knife, table leg and items of shelving in a senseless attack, which left her with so many injuries a was unable to count them accurately.
During the trial at , jurors heard how Buckney’s relatives had been concerned about her paying Whitelock to do odd jobs in her house. The victim argued that “everybody deserves a second chance.”
When arrested, Whitelock told police that he had tortured Buckney, and jurors heard in the trial that she had been sexually abused.
Neighbours described how Whitelock was seen in the street following the murder in August 2022 wearing just his boxer shorts. He told them: “I’ve killed Wendy. I don’t know why; she was good to me.”
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The jury took just 15 minutes to reach its verdict, and Whitelock will be sentenced on December 20.
Whitelock had previously served 18 years of a life sentence, having been found guilty of a double murder in 2001.
He was jailed for battering his friend Nicholas Morgan to death with a pickaxe handle or hammer at a house in after a drink and drug-fuelled argument.
He then set fire to the body in an attempt to cover up evidence, killing his brother, who was asleep upstairs from smoke inhalation.
In 2018, Morgan’s sister launched a campaign to stop him from being released. Still, an offender assessment review in 2019 concluded that his likelihood of committing another serious offence was low. However, it said this could change if he lapsed into drink and drug misuse.
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Wendy Buckney was described by her family as a very much loved, sister and aunty. (Image: South Wales Police)
Whitelock had defended himself during the trial but was asked if he wanted a barrister for sentencing. He replied: “What’s the point?”
When he gave evidence, Whitelock told the jury that Buckney was a “lovely woman” who had paid him for jobs such as laying a patio and gardening.
The defendant said: “I have no idea why I was at Wendy’s or what I was doing. It’s horrible what’s happened. I’m sorry. I can’t forgive myself. I expect to spend the rest of my life in jail, I deserve to. Why did I do that to Wendy, someone who was so nice to me?”
Christopher Rees KC, prosecuting, said Whitelock’s previous convictions showed a “propensity to use explosive and disproportionate violence”, especially when under the influence of drugs.
In a statement, Buckney’s family said: “Wendy was a very much-loved sister and aunty whose kindness, laughter, and spirit touched the lives of so many. Our lives will never be the same without her, but we will continue to honour her memory every day.”