Crime

Triple killer sentenced to life for brutal murder of Wendy Buckney

Published

12 months ago

December 20, 2024

TRIPLE KILLER Brian Whitelock, 57, has been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for the savage murder of 71-year-old Wendy Buckney. The sentencing took place at Swansea Crown Court, with His Honourable Justice Griffiths describing the crime as of “exceptionally high seriousness.”

Whitelock, who was previously convicted of killing two men, including his brother, in 2001, carried out the brutal attack in August 2022 at Ms. Buckney’s home on Tanycoed Road, Clydach, Swansea. The court heard how Whitelock used a knife, a table leg, and shelving to inflict a “sustained and vicious” assault, leaving his victim with multiple blunt and sharp force injuries. Justice Griffiths revealed there were “too many stab wounds for the pathologist to accurately count.”

‘Monster’ trusted by his victim

Ms. Buckney, a retired horse riding instructor, had been living in the flat since 2018 and was described as a kind and generous neighbour. She had employed Whitelock, her neighbour since 2019, for odd jobs despite her family’s concerns about his violent past. Her response to their warnings was: “Everybody deserves a second chance.”

On the night of the murder, Whitelock stripped both himself and his victim, leaving Ms. Buckney’s body naked and face down on the floor. Her home was ransacked, and objects and clothing were placed on her body in what prosecutors described as a degrading act.

In a 999 call following the attack, Whitelock admitted to the killing, saying: “I just snapped, there’s no reason I killed her.” However, Justice Griffiths dismissed any claim of diminished responsibility, stating: “You knew what you were doing. She was old, vulnerable, and alone at home at night. She trusted you as a friend.”

Family devastated by loss

Ms. Buckney’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as having “a heart of gold.” In a statement, they said: “We all adored her. Wendy had a close bond with her family and loved her animals. She was taken from us in such a horrible way, at the hands of the man she helped.”

Her sister added: “We had a wonderful life together as sisters, and the bond between us can never be broken.”

A history of violence

Whitelock’s violent past began in October 2000 when he killed Nicky Morgan, 34, during a drink and drug-fuelled argument. He beat Mr. Morgan to death with a hammer and set the house on fire to cover up the crime. Whitelock’s brother, Glenn, who was asleep upstairs, died from smoke inhalation. Whitelock served 18 years in prison for these crimes and was released on licence, only to breach his conditions and be briefly recalled to prison. He was released again in 2021.

Melanie Huxley, the sister of Nicky Morgan, expressed her anger at Whitelock’s release: “He should never have been released from prison. We always knew he would kill again.”

Life without parole

At the sentencing, Justice Griffiths told Whitelock: “For the murder of Wendy Buckney, I sentence you to imprisonment for life. The seriousness of this murder is so exceptionally high that the punishment is for you to stay in prison for the rest of your life. You will never be considered for parole.”

Addressing Ms. Buckney’s grieving family, Justice Griffiths added: “I hope in the passage of time, you can think of her, in her 71 years of life. I hope that eventually you will be left with all those memories that you and she would want to have.”

Whitelock’s crimes have left a lasting impact on the families of his victims, with the sentence reflecting the gravity of his actions. Justice Griffiths’ ruling ensures Whitelock will spend the rest of his life behind bars, bringing a measure of justice for those affected by his heinous crimes.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies said: “We are pleased that Brian Whitelock has been given a full-life tariff, which is a fitting sentence due to the countless lives that have been destroyed because of his actions.

“Despite his past, Brian Whitelock received nothing but kindness from his neighbour Wendy Buckney. He repaid this kindness by carrying out her senseless murder.

“The level of violence Brian Whitelock enacted upon his defenceless victim was sickening.

“Defending himself in court, Brian Whitelock’s aim was to distance himself from his actions, but the reality is that he was well-aware what he was doing.

“Wendy Buckney’s family has been through an unimaginable amount of pain and heartbreak because of the actions of Brian Whitelock. I hope, because of today’s sentencing, that they can finally feel closure, and can begin grieving the loss of Wendy.”

Crime

Swansea man jailed for online child sex offence dies in prison

Published

11 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A SWANSEA man who was jailed earlier this year for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child has died while in custody.

Gareth Davies, aged 59, of the Maritime Quarter, was serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted in May of sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The account was in fact a decoy used as part of an online safeguarding operation.

The court heard that Davies began communicating with the decoy between November and December 2024 and persistently pursued the individual, later attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting. He was arrested after being confronted by the decoy operators.

Davies had pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a trial. At the time of sentencing, police described the messages as extremely concerning and said his imprisonment was necessary to protect children.

It has now been confirmed that Davies died at HMP Parc on Wednesday (Nov 27) while serving his sentence.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an independent investigation into the death, which is standard procedure in all cases where someone dies in custody. No cause of death has been released at this stage.

A coroner will determine the circumstances in due course.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man sent to Crown Court over death by careless driving charge

Published

12 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court to stand trial accused of causing a death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Beach Road, Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 18).

The court heard that MacCallum is charged with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving following an incident on Thursday (June 13, 2024).

No plea was entered at this stage of the proceedings.

Magistrates were told the case was too serious to be dealt with at magistrates’ level and ordered that it be sent to the Crown Court for trial.

MacCallum was sent to the Crown Court on unconditional bail, with further proceedings to take place at a later date.

The prosecution was brought by Dyfed-Powys Police. No defence solicitor was formally recorded at the hearing.

Crime

Breakthrough in 1993 Tooze murders: 86-year-old man arrested after cold case review

Published

14 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE investigating one of Wales’ most disturbing unsolved double murders have arrested an 86-year-old man on suspicion of killing elderly couple Harry and Megan Tooze more than three decades ago.

South Wales Police confirmed the arrest on Tuesday (Dec 17), following a forensic cold case review into the 1993 killings, which shocked the rural community of Llanharry and cast a long shadow over the South Wales justice system.

Harry Tooze, aged 64, and his wife Megan, 67, were found shot dead with a shotgun at their isolated Ty Ar y Waun farmhouse on July 26, 1993. Their bodies were discovered inside a cowshed on the property, concealed beneath carpet and hay bales, having been shot in the head at close range.

The brutality of the killings and the remoteness of the scene prompted one of the most high-profile murder investigations in Wales at the time.

Conviction later quashed

In 1995, Cheryl Tooze’s then-boyfriend, Jonathan Jones, was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. The prosecution case rested heavily on a partial fingerprint found on a teacup at the farmhouse.

However, the conviction unravelled just a year later. In 1996, the Court of Appeal quashed the verdict, ruling it unsafe and highlighting serious concerns about the reliability of the fingerprint evidence. The decision was widely regarded as a significant miscarriage of justice.

Jones, who consistently maintained his innocence, was supported throughout the ordeal by Cheryl Tooze, whom he later married. The couple have since spoken publicly about the devastating impact of the case on their lives.

Despite renewed appeals and periodic reviews, no one else was charged and the murders remained unresolved for nearly 30 years.

Operation Vega and forensic advances

In 2023, marking the 30th anniversary of the killings, South Wales Police launched a full cold case review under Operation Vega. The review was led by forensic scientist Professor Angela Gallop, one of the UK’s most respected figures in forensic investigation.

Detectives re-examined preserved exhibits from the original crime scene using modern forensic and DNA techniques that were not available in the early 1990s. Police have not disclosed which items were re-analysed or what evidence led to the latest arrest.

On December 17, officers arrested an 86-year-old man on suspicion of murdering Harry and Megan Tooze. He remains in police custody while enquiries continue. No further details about the suspect have been released at this stage.

Police appeal for information

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Mark Lewis described the arrest as a significant moment, but stressed that the investigation is ongoing.

He said: “While this arrest is clearly a significant development in the investigation, our enquiries are very much ongoing. This case has affected many people over the years and our aim is to find answers to the unanswered questions which remain about their deaths over 30 years on.

“Even with the passage of time, I would urge anyone who has information about the murders, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward and speak to police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police, quoting occurrence number 2300016841.