Murder Accused Describes Victim as ‘Nicest Person in the World’ During Trial

A jury heard a 999 recording in which a man confessed to killing his 71-year-old neighbor. Brian Whitelock, aged 57, is accused of using a knife, a table leg, and shelving to fatally assault retired riding instructor Wendy Buckney from Clydach, Swansea, in August 2022. The Swansea court was additionally informed that a mental health evaluation performed on Mr Whitelock just days prior to the event concluded he posed “at low risk of harm to himself and others”. Mr Whitelock acknowledges committing manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, but he refutes the charge of murder. “I don’t even know what I’ve done,” Mr Whitelock can be heard stating, while a neighbor contacted 999, with Mr Whitelock standing in his boxer shorts and covered in blood. “She’s the nicest person in the world.” He subsequently stated, “I didn’t want no money off her, she gave loads and now I’ve killed her”, further remarking: “I hit her over the head. “I just snapped, there’s no reason I killed her.” The defendant then expressed that he “deserved to be locked up”. Ms Buckney had compensated the defendant for carrying out various tasks at her residence. The court was informed yesterday that Ms Buckney’s family had reservations about him being employed by her, but she had assured them: “Everyone deserves a second chance.” Mr Whitelock’s neighbor, Jeffrey Llewellyn, placed the 999 call to the police on the morning of 23 August. Mr Llewellyn had grown progressively worried by Mr Whitelock’s unpredictable conduct in the days preceding Ms Buckney’s demise. Mr Llewellyn informed the operator during the recording: “He’s just told me he’s killed her.” While he was conversing with the call handler, Mr Whitelock was visible on CCTV moving around outside the flats located on Tan y Coed Road in Clydach. The jury observed Mr Whitelock, clad solely in blood-covered boxer shorts, yelling upwards towards a visibly shocked Mr Llewellyn in his apartment. In the course of the call, Mr Llewellyn inquired of the defendant: “Where is she, Brian?”, to which he responded: “Dead.” Mr Llewellyn can be heard stating “I know she’s dead Brian, where?” Mr Whitelock yelled back to him that she was in the living room and was “stone cold”. Another neighbor entered the flat while they were speaking and verified the victim’s death. She was found unclothed and had sustained such numerous injuries that the pathologist could not precisely enumerate them. While awaiting the arrival of the police, the jury heard Mr Llewellyn persist in his conversation with Mr Whitelock. He questioned him about the implements used to kill Ms Buckney. The defendant is audible on the recording informing him: “I killed her with loads of different things. “I wasn’t in a bad mood. I just killed her.” Kitchen knives bearing bloodstains and a section of wooden shelving were subsequently discovered in her residence. Mr Whitelock can be heard inquiring about the police’s whereabouts, prior to telling Mr Llewellyn: “I’m not right in the head.” During the days preceding the killing, Mr Llewellyn captured a sequence of videos showing Mr Whitelock appearing disoriented. The defendant had been found guilty of killing two men, one of whom was his brother, in 2001, and had been released from incarceration following a life sentence. He murdered Nicky Morgan, aged 34, by striking him on the head with either a pick axe or a hammer in 2000, following an argument fueled by alcohol and drugs at his residence in Blaenymaes, Swansea. He then set the house ablaze, resulting in the death of his brother Glenn, who was sleeping inside. Mr Llewellyn informed the operator about Mr Whitelock’s prior convictions, stating: “I knew this would happen.” Previously, the court was apprised that in the days leading up to Ms Buckney’s death, Mr Whitelock had visited the emergency department of Morriston Hospital in Swansea. In the early hours of 19 August, medical personnel made a referral to a mental health crisis team. He informed the nurse conducting the assessment that he desired diazepam, explaining it was the sole substance that enabled him to sleep. He mentioned his use of street valium and alcohol and asserted he did not suffer from a mental health issue. The nurse evaluated him as posing “at low risk of harm to himself and others”, and he was directed to a drug and alcohol charity catering to former offenders. Four days subsequent to this, Ms Buckney was discovered deceased in her flat. Mr Whitelock acknowledges manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, but he denies the charge of murder. The trial remains ongoing. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.