RHYS BENNETT FROM BALLINGRY SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC MURDER AND RAPE IN DYCE AND ABERDEEN

A man from Ballingry, Rhys Bennett, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of the brutal murder and sexual assault of Jill Barclay, a beloved mother-of-two. The heinous crime took place in the early hours of September 17, 2022, in the grounds of derelict residential premises at Farburn Gatehouse, Dyce, near Aberdeen.

During the proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson handed down a sentence of life imprisonment to Bennett, with a punishment part set at 24 years before he can be considered for release on parole. Bennett had pleaded guilty to both the rape and murder charges, which significantly influenced the court’s sentencing decision.

In his detailed sentencing remarks, Lord Arthurson described the horrific sequence of events that led to Jill Barclay’s death. He recounted that Bennett, a stranger to Ms. Barclay, had followed her as she was returning home after an evening out with friends in Aberdeen. The court heard that Bennett waited or hid himself from her view before launching a savage and sustained attack. The violence inflicted upon Ms. Barclay was described as feral, involving multiple forms of brutal assault.

Lord Arthurson detailed that Bennett raped Ms. Barclay during the attack. The injuries inflicted on her were extensive, including blunt force trauma to her head, resulting in bruises, lacerations, nose fractures, scalp hemorrhages, a linear skull fracture, and bleeding in the brain. Some facial injuries suggested the use of a sharp instrument, possibly a knife or improvised weapon. The attack involved kicking, stamping, striking her head against a downpipe, and compressing her neck, all while dragging her along the ground.

After the assault, Bennett returned to his accommodation, collected his belongings, and drove his work van back to the scene. He attempted to move Ms. Barclay, who was heavily bleeding, into the van. He then transported her to a pathway beside the Gatehouse, where further violence was inflicted, evidenced by blood spatter stains on the iron gate, indicating additional kicks or strikes.

In a chilling act of cruelty, Bennett retrieved a green jerry can filled with petrol and used it as an accelerant to set fire to Ms. Barclay. He deliberately soaked clothing, including items he was wearing, in petrol and placed them beneath her body in an effort to conceal his crimes. Evidence confirmed that Ms. Barclay was still alive when the fire was ignited, and tragically, she was burned alive.

Following the murder, Bennett fled the scene, drove to Fife, and attempted to destroy evidence by washing clothing worn during the incident. This was an effort to evade justice, as he sought to eliminate any traces of his involvement.

Jill Barclay was 47 years old, cherished by her partner of 20 years, her two young children aged 6 and 8, and her mother. Her life was full and active, and her loss has left a permanent void in the lives of her loved ones. The court acknowledged the profound impact of her death on her family, emphasizing that no sentence could fully compensate for their grief.

In addition to the details of the crime, the court considered reports from forensic psychiatrists diagnosing Bennett with autism spectrum disorder. Both experts concluded that his ability to understand the wrongfulness of his actions was unimpaired. The court also took into account Bennett’s age at the time of the offense, 22, and his early guilty plea, which resulted in a reduction of his sentence.

Addressing the severity of the crimes, Lord Arthurson described Bennett’s conduct as exceptionally barbaric, comparable to medieval brutality. The court’s decision to impose a life sentence with a 24-year punishment part reflects the gravity of the offenses and the need for public protection. Additionally, Bennett received a concurrent sentence of four years for attempting to defeat the ends of justice by washing his clothing to destroy evidence.

Furthermore, Bennett is now subject to indefinite notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, due to his conviction for a sexual offence. The court also ordered that this conviction be reported to Scottish Ministers, ensuring ongoing monitoring and safeguarding measures.

Overall, the court’s ruling underscores the heinous nature of Bennett’s crimes and the profound impact on Jill Barclay’s family, who will carry the scars of this tragedy for the rest of their lives.