Wife killer shares feelings with Victorian court

A former British army major who strangled his wife and left her body in their Victorian home for days says he’s feeling ‘very psychologically fragile’ after the recent anniversary of her death.

Convicted murderer David Whitelegg on Wednesday shared his feelings with the Supreme Court of Victoria, citing three years since Anne Whitelegg died, adding that his mother is dying from cancer.

‘To be honest, I’m feeling quite overwhelmed,’ he told the court.

Whitelegg was sentenced in 2016 to 18 years’ jail after pleading guilty to murdering 59-year-old Mrs Whitelegg in September 2014.

He told Wednesday’s hearing – an application for compensation by Mrs Whitelegg’s son – that he dumped his legal representation because it was costly and he wasn’t happy with it.

Whitelegg, who previously served in the British and Australian armies, last year claimed he killed his wife with his bare hands during an argument.

But experts said her injuries were more consistent with a buckled belt.

The Supreme Court was also previously told Whitelegg had been battling mental health issues and his wife had talked about leaving him.

Whitelegg phoned a funeral parlour about three days after the murder and said his wife had died unexpectedly.

When police found her body on the kitchen floor, he told them she had fallen ill.

Justice Jane Dixon urged Whitelegg to reconsider representing himself before adjourning the hearing to November 15.

Anne Whitelegg (pictured) was strangled to death by husband David in September, 2014