David Venables killed his wife Brenda 40 years ago and her remains lay undiscovered for decades.
Image source, PA MediaA retired farmer who murdered his wife before concealing her remains in a septic tank has been jailed for life.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Brenda Venables vanished from the home she shared with her husband David in Kempsey, Worcestershire, in 1982.
Her remains were found inside the tank on the couple’s farm in 2019 and Venables was charged with her murder.
During his trial it was revealed Venables, now 89, killed his wife after rekindling a longstanding affair.
On Wednesday at Worcester Crown Court, High Court Judge Mrs Justice Tipples ruled he must serve a minimum of 18 years.
Venables had taken advantage of his wife’s depression to create a “carefully thought-out story” that she had left home in the middle of the night, apparently to take her own life, the judge told the court.
Jurors heard the evidence showed he had used a manhole cover to weigh down his wife’s body.
Image source, Family
The judge also rejected defence claims that the killing had been carried out in the heat of the moment, telling Venables the whole process of disposing of the body in the septic tank, and then leaving no trace, must have required considerable planning.
She told the pensioner: “Your complete lack of respect for Brenda is obvious from your decision to dispose of her body in the septic tank.
“The fact that is what you did with her body is disgusting and repulsive.”
Addressing the motive for the killing, she said: “I am sure you killed Brenda Venables to remove her from your life and the complications she may have presented to you in any divorce proceedings.
“There is no doubt an element of greed and selfishness.”
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