South Wales Police
Brian Whitelock will never be considered for parole after murdering Wendy Buckney
The family of a man murdered 24 years ago have said “catastrophic failings” of the probation service enabled his killer to strike again.
Brian Whitelock, 57, has been given a whole life sentence, meaning he will never be considered for parole, for the drug-fuelled and “brutal” murder of “bubbly and caring” retired riding instructor, Wendy Buckney.
He had moved into a flat across the road from the 71-year-old in Clydach, Swansea, after serving 18 years in prison for murder and manslaughter, including killing his own brother.
It is understood a multi-agency serious case review will now take place to discover if authorities missed opportunities to protect the public from the double killer.
The Probation Service said it was also conducting its own review.
Whole life orders are reserved for the most severe cases.
Nurse Lucy Letby, April Jones killer Mark Bridger and Wayne Couzens, who murdered Sarah Everard while he was a police officer, were all given whole life orders.
Sentencing Whitelock at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Mr Justice Griffiths called the murder in August 2022 a “frenzy of violence”.
“[Wendy] knew what you were doing to her. Her injuries included injuries to her hands while she tried to defend herself, but of course she was no match for you,” he said.
“You described it as torture, and that’s what it was.”
He added: “You described her as like a second mother to you. She deserved nothing but gratitude, but you brutally murdered her anyway and you have never, ever suggested a motive.”
Wendy’s family were joined in court for the sentencing by the families of Whitelock’s previous victims, Nicky Morgan and Glen Whitelock. Nine of the 12 jurors from his trial also returned to see him sentenced.
In a victim impact statement read in court, Wendy Buckney’s sister Ann said Wendy knew about Whitelock’s past but had given him odd jobs to do around her flat because she felt he deserved a “second chance”.
Applause broke out in the court room when the whole life sentence was handed down.
Warning: This article contains details that some people might find distressing.
Ann said her family cannot stop thinking about the day We
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