An 89-year-old retired pig farmer who tried to blame serial killer Fred West before his wife’s disappearance, nearly 40 years ago, has been found guilty of murdering her.
David Venables was convicted of murdering Brenda Venables, whose skeletal remains were discovered in a septic tank at the couple’s former home, 37 years after she was reported missing.
During his month-long trial, the retiree — who was having an extramarital affair when his wife disappeared — claimed she could have been West’s victim.
His legal team claimed West had ties to the Worcestershire village of Kempsey, where the Venables lived.
But a jury of seven women and five men found the wealthy former farmer guilty of murder after nearly 17 hours of deliberation.
After the verdict, Ms. Venables’ nieces and nephews released a statement expressing relief that justice had finally caught up with her real killer.
In a statement, they said: “We are relieved that today, after 40 years of waiting, there is finally justice for Brenda.
“Venables can no longer get away with murdering his wife, hiding her body and all his deceptions, lies and fabrications.”