PENSIONER David Venables has been found guilty of the murder of his wife.
In dramatic scenes in a sweltering hot courtroom at Worcester Crown Court the jury returned after nearly 17 hours at 3.50pm this afternoon (July 15).
The jury forewoman stood and when asked, she said a majority had found Venables guilty of the murder of wife Brenda Venables.
Venables showed no emotion in the dock as the verdict was read out and he was taken down.
The verdict follows a five week trial the 89-year-old, of Elgar Drive, Kempsey, having denied a single count that he murdered his wife “on a day between May 2 and May 5, 1982”.
READ MORE: David Venables trial: Timeline from Brenda Venables disappearance
Venables was arrested on July 30, 2019, 18 days after Brenda’s remains were found in a septic tank at Quaking House Farm in Kempsey, where the couple had lived in 1982 when she went missing.
Following his arrest Venables had tried to blame notorious serial killer Fred West for his wife's murder.
But at his trial the prosecution revealed Venables killed Brenda to continue a long-standing affair with Lorraine Styles.
Michael Burrows QC had told the jury Venables “got away with murder” for nearly 40 years.
"He wanted her out of the way", Mr Burrows said.
"He knew about the septic tank in its secluded location. It was for him almost the perfect hiding place."
Following the murder, the court heard, Venables appeared calm to those who knew him.
READ MORE: How we reported on Brenda Venables' disappearance in 1982
READ MORE: Human bones found in Kempsey, Worcester
READ MORE: David Venables told police Fred West could have killed his wife
He later sought an annulment of his marriage to Mrs Venables, who was described by relatives and friends in court as a kind, hospitable and friendly woman.
The court had also heard a female friend of someone Venables knew had told him that “Fred West picked her up in Worcester at a bus stop early one morning, and she managed to escape”.
Venables, of Elgar Drive, Kempsey, had told investigating officers: “I wondered since whether he was responsible for picking her (Brenda) up and eventually disposing of her body.”
Brenda Venables' disappearance had been one of Worcestershire's biggest mysteries
The disappearance of Mrs Venables had been one of Worcestershire’s biggest mysteries.
Two days after she went missing Venables told this paper he had been waiting anxiously by his phone, hoping for news.
“I just woke up to find that she had gone,” he said.
READ MORE: 'Justice for Brenda, at last' - family of David Venables' victim speak out
“She has never done anything like this before and I haven’t the faintest idea what happened to her.”
After thanking the jury the judge, Mrs Justice Amanda Tipples, said Venables will be sentenced on Wednesday, (July 20).
Due to his health issues the judge granted that Venables could appear at his sentencing via videolink from prison.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel