Man admits to killing horsewoman, but denies murder
Brian Whitlock pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Wendy Buckney through diminished responsibility, but denies murdering her
A 57-year-old man has admitted to killing a retired horsewoman but denies murdering her.
Brian Whitelock was due to start his trial this week, accused of murdering 71-year-old Wendy Buckney.
Wendy's body was discovered outside her home in Clydach, near Swansea, on August 23 2022.
Whitelock pleaded guilty to manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility but denied murder at the hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday.
The manslaughter plea has not been accepted by the prosecution, and a trial is expected to be held on November 12.
The trial was expected to start this week but was pushed back due to the new manslaughter plea.
Judge Mr Justice Griffiths said: "The effect of the pleas is that the defendant admits killing the victim, with intent to kill.
"But he says, by reason of a mental condition that he was suffering from at the time, he is entitled to a verdict of manslaughter rather than murder."
He said the lack of closure in the case would come as a "great disappointment" to many, but it needed to be pushed back.
The trial is expected to last three weeks, with a pre-trial review expected to take place at Swansea Crown Court in July.
Ms Buckney founded the well-loved Pen-Y-Fedw Riding Centre and livery yard and still kept horses after moving to her new home.
In a statement released by police, her family said: "As a family we are devastated that our much-loved sister, aunt and friend has been taken away so tragically.
"Our family are broken and we will miss her forever."