A man who raped and murdered Scots mum Jill Barclay in Aberdeen before setting her body on fire has been jailed for life.
Rhys Bennett, 23, was ordered to serve a minimum of 24 years in prison for his crimes. He appeared from custody at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, May 24, where he admitted the horrific offences.
He pled guilty to the rape and murder of Jill, 47, as she walked home from a night out at Farburn Gatehouse in Victoria Street, Dyce on September 17 last year.
The former labourer, from Ballingry, Fife, admitted striking, kicking and stamping on her head and body, striking her against a downpipe and inflicting blunt and sharp force trauma to her head and body.
Bennett admitted restraining her forcibly, removing her shoes, trousers and pants, raping her, dragging her along the ground and compressing her neck.
He admitted placing clothing and other items underneath her body as she lay on the ground and setting fire to her.
Bennett also admitted burning items of his own clothing, fleeing the scene and washing his clothes in a bid to destroy evidence linking him to the crimes and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Judge Lord Arthurson told Bennett his crimes were “unimaginably wicked and indeed medieval in their barbarity”.
The judge said the evidence showed Jill was still alive when he set fire to her body.
He added: “To be crystal clear, you burned her alive”.
Bennett was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
David Green, lead homicide prosecutor for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “Rhys Bennett raped and murdered a woman who was simply walking home after a night out through streets she knew well.
"Jill Barclay should have arrived home safely to her partner and children.
“This senseless and brutal crime has devastated a family and shocked the wider community.
“While we welcome today’s sentence as justice being served, we are acutely aware that no sentence can ever adequately reflect the suffering of Jill Barclay’s loved ones.
“Our thoughts remain with them.”
Sandy Brindley, Chief Executive, Rape Crisis Scotland: “What happened to Jill Barclay is a truly abhorrent case of violence against women. Our thoughts are with all who knew and loved Jill at this incredibly hard time.
“We have seen far too many headlines like these in recent months and years. But the truth is, these headlines are the tip of the iceberg of male violence against women. We know the majority of violence against women, including sexual violence, is never reported.
“Every woman has the right to feel, and to be, safe no matter where they are and no matter what time it is. We need to see real societal change for this to become a reality.
“Reports like this can also be very difficult for survivors of sexual violence. The Rape Crisis Scotland helpline is open every night from 5pm until midnight on 08088 010302. Text, email and webchat support is also available.”
Jill had been on a night out with friends and was walking home when she was attacked by Bennett.
The 47-year-old’s body was discovered near an address on Stoneywood Road at around 3.30am on September 17 after fire crews were called to the scene.
A major murder investigation was launched by Police Scotland officers, who locked down the area for several days as they carried out extensive enquiries to catch the killer.
Bennett was charged following a police raid on his home.
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