An evil killer set mum-of-two Jill Barclay on fire while she was still alive after raping her in Aberdeen.
Twisted Rhys Bennett appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, May 24, where he was ordered to serve a minimum of 24 years behind bars.
Judge Lord Arthurson told the 23-year-old: "To be crystal clear, you burned her alive”. He added that the crimes were “unimaginably wicked and indeed medieval in their barbarity".
Bennett, from Ballingry, Fife, admitted striking, kicking and stamping on the 47-year-old’s head and body causing blunt force trauma.
The former labourer 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.
Jill’s body was found at an address on Stoneywood Road in Dyce at around 3.30am on September 17 last year 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.
The killer pleaded guilty to a charge of rape and murder as well as attempting to defeat the ends of justice after attacking the mum as she walked home from a night out.
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."
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