Brian Whitelock: Convicted murderer found guilty of murdering neighbor near Swansea | UK News

A convicted murderer was found guilty of murdering his neighbor.

Brian Whitelock, 57, was sentenced to life in prison for murder and manslaughter in 2001 before being released in 2018.

He attacked neighbor Wendy Buckney, 71, with a kitchen knife, broken table leg and wooden shelves during the attack at her home on August 23, 2022, Swansea Crown Court heard.

The pensioner was found bloodied and naked in the living room of his home in Clydach, near Swansea.

Whitelock had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but after a two-week trial the jury found him guilty of Miss Buckney’s murder on Wednesday after deliberating for about 30 minutes.

After the jury’s verdict, Whitelock shouted from the podium to the jury: “I hope you all get brain damage.”

“I hope you all go through what I went through. You all disrupted the order,” he added.

His Honor Judge Griffiths apologized to the jury for the “disgraceful behaviour” and added: “You can be quite sure that Mr Whitelock is in a safe place where he cannot harm you.”

Christopher Rees KC, prosecuting, said Ms Buckney had “suffered tremendously” from Whitelock before she died.

The prosecution also alleged that Ms Buckney was sexually assaulted by Whitelock. But Mr Rees added: “It is impossible to say forensically whether this was done by the defendant before, during or after the attack.”

Representing himself at trial, the defendant told the jury he had no memory of killing Miss Buckney, who suffered brain damage during a fishing accident.

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In the statement made after the verdict, Wendy Buckney’s family said they were “grateful that the truth was heard.”

They described Ms. Buckney as “a much-loved sister and aunt whose kindness, laughter and spirit touched the lives of so many.”

The family said this has been a “painful and heartbreaking journey” for them and asked for privacy to grieve.

Whitelock will be sentenced on December 20.