Former army major jailed for 18 years after strangling wife to death
A former British Army major who strangled his wife to death in their Victorian home has been sentenced to 18 years jail.
David Whitelegg says he murdered Anne Whitelegg with his bare hands on September 18, 2014, during an argument at their Wallan home, but authorities believe he probably used a buckled belt to kill her, the Victorian Supreme Court heard.
The 55-year-old pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years jail on Wednesday, with a non-parole period of 14 years.
Ms Whitelegg's body was found by police inside the couple’s home in Wallan, three days after her believed time of death.
Police became aware she had died after the former major allegedly phoned a funeral director and claimed his wife had died unexpectedly.
Police documents claimed they found Ms Whitelegg on the couple’s kitchen floor, with marks on her neck.
Whitelegg allegedly told police he found her dead in the garage, and dragged her to the kitchen.
In another statement, he claimed he had left the couple’s home after an argument and had not seen her again until discovering her body.
Autopsy results showed Ms Whitelegg was intoxicated when she died.
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Earlier it was claimed Whitelegg gave away his cat and reached out to his mother in England, claiming responsibility for his wife’s death.
Court documents showed the couple had been unhappy in their marriage and Mrs Whitelegg had said she would get half their assets if they split.
Police had alleged Whitelegg had claimed he would rather see his wife dead than let her take half of everything.
After his wife’s murder, Whitelegg put his affairs in order and tried to take his own life.
He transferred $100,000 to his mother’s bank account and gave the cat to the RSPCA.
Initially Whitelegg pleaded not guilty to the crime in Melbourne Magistrates Court, but earlier this year he admitted the crime.
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