The heartbroken family of a Scottish mum who was raped and set on fire say she 'didn't deserve to die that day'.
Jill Barclay, 47, was walking home a night out in Dyce, Aberdeen, when she was followed and attacked by Fife man Rhys Bennett. Her body was found alight by emergency services who were called to the scene in the early hours of September 17, reports the Daily Record.
Bennett was sentenced on Wednesday and given 24 years in jail, with his victim's loved ones issuing a moving statement outside the High Court in Edinburgh. Speaking on behalf of the family, Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick said: “We would like to thank family, friends and the community for their comforting support following Jill’s tragic death as we have waited for justice.
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“Jill was a deeply loved life partner, mother and daughter. She didn't deserve to die that day and especially in the unspeakable, brutal way it happened. This man has taken so much from us and changed our lives forever.
“Our family would like everyone, including the press, to respect our privacy at this difficult time so we can be left in peace to grieve.”
The lead detective, DS Patrick, added: “I hope that today's sentencing brings some comfort to Jill’s family and friends who have shown immense strength throughout this investigation. “Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time. Jill’s senseless and brutal murder had a significant impact on the local community in Dyce and throughout the North East.
“I would like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation to bring Bennett to justice. On Saturday, 17 September, 2022, 47-year-old Jill was found dead near to Stoneywood Road and a murder investigation was launched.
"Our inquiries, including CCTV analysis, quickly led to 23-year-old Bennett being traced in Fife, where he was arrested and charged later that day. I believe that the evidence we were able to gather has led to Bennett’s guilty plea and, as a result, Jill’s family has been spared the further distress of a trial.
“This was a particularly harrowing investigation and it deeply affected everyone involved. I am glad that Bennett will now face the consequences of his depraved and wicked actions. Thankfully crimes like these are extremely rare in our communities.
"When such incidents take place we will use all resources necessary to carry out thorough, rigorous inquiries to ensure we track down those responsible to bring them to justice as swiftly as possible.”
During the court hearing, Judge Lord Arthurson told Bennett that there was evidence that Jill was still breathing when he started the blaze after pouring petrol on her.
He said: “To be crystal clear, you burned her alive”. He added that the horrific crimes were “unimaginably wicked and indeed medieval in their barbarity."
Bennett, from Ballingry, Fife, who didn't know his victim, admitted striking, kicking and stamping on his victim’s head and body causing blunt force trauma. He also admitted restraining her forcibly, removing her shoes, trousers and pants, raping her, dragging her along the ground and compressing her neck.
He then placed her clothing and other items underneath her body before setting her on fire. In a bid to cover his tracks, Bennett admitted burning items of his own clothing before fleeing the scene and washing his remaining clothes in a bid to destroy evidence.
He has been placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
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