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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 pathologist was unable to count them accurately. During the trial at
Swansea Crown Court, 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, who had mobility issues 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.” 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 Swansea 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. 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.”