HUGH WEDDERBURN SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER IN WALSALL

Hugh Wedderburn, a man with a history of controlling and abusive behavior, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of attempting to murder his wife, Maureen Wedderburn, in Walsall. The brutal attack took place on West Bromwich Road, a location familiar to many residents of the area, and marked a tragic culmination of a marriage that had lasted for four decades.

According to court records, the incident occurred shortly after Maureen’s marriage to Hugh ended in March. On April 6, as she was preparing to leave for her job as a dinner lady, Hugh Wedderburn confronted her in a highly aggressive manner. He demanded that she return to him, despite their separation. When Maureen refused his demands, Hugh’s anger erupted into violence. Witnesses in the vicinity saw him attack her in a frenzied assault, during which he inflicted a total of ten stab wounds to her head and body. The attack was so severe that it left her with permanent scars, although her injuries did not require surgical intervention.

Prosecutor Mr. John Price KC emphasized that Hugh Wedderburn’s actions were not impulsive but part of a pattern of controlling and abusive conduct. The court heard that Hugh’s behavior had been problematic over the years, contributing to the breakdown of their marriage. A witness statement read aloud in court expressed relief and optimism for Maureen’s future, with the individual stating her excitement about starting a new chapter in her life, despite the trauma she endured. She also expressed a wish that she had been able to escape Hugh’s control sooner.

Defense attorneys argued that Hugh Wedderburn, aged 67 at the time of the attack, was remorseful and that his actions were influenced by personal struggles and fears. They claimed that he did not fully understand why he acted as he did, citing various personal factors that may have contributed to his behavior. Despite these arguments, the jury deliberated for only 90 minutes before returning a guilty verdict on charges of attempted murder.

On October 27, 2022, Judge Michael Chambers KC sentenced Hugh Wedderburn to 21 years in prison. The judge described the attack as dangerously close to ending Maureen’s life and condemned Hugh for ignoring pleas from the public to cease his assault. As part of the sentence, Hugh was also issued a restraining order preventing him from contacting Maureen in any way. Additionally, the court ordered the seizure and destruction of the knife used in the attack, emphasizing the severity of the crime and the need to protect Maureen from further harm in the future.