Man who murdered wife at home in Hamilton after cheating accusation jailed for life

A man who murdered his wife at their home after she accused him of cheating on her has been given a life sentence.

Walter Buchanan attacked Darrel Buchanan at their flat near Hamilton racecourse in Lanarkshire on February 18, 2023.

The chartered surveyor had denied murdering his wife but was found guilty following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

The 37-year-old mum-of-one suffered a “significant” compression of her neck as well as a brain injury, bruising and a rib fracture during the deliberate assault.

Buchanan called emergency services at 7.12am the morning after the attack, claiming he had found his wife not breathing.

The court heard how the couple had a ‘volatile or stormy’ relationship and that Mrs Buchanan had told friends and neighbours that she had been abused by her husband during their marriage.

After her death, abusive text messages from Buchanan were found on her mobile phone, including one which read “I hope you die you black b****”.

Defence solicitor advocate Iain McSporran KC told the court that his client had been a law-abiding member of society before the murder.

He added: “He has been a fully productive member of the community and has been a hard-working man.

“He is extremely anxious and wants to avoid attributing any blame. He knows that if it were not for his actions she would not have died.”

Buchanan was jailed for a minimum of 15 years at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday.

Imposing the punishment, Lord Cubie told Buchanan of the pain that he caused to Mrs Buchanan’s family.

He added: “I have read from victim impact statements of the loss and suffering that you have left her relatives with. You have caused huge upset and upheaval.

“There is nothing that I can say or do that can deal with their loss.

“You describe the events of that evening as being a nightmare for you. I have taken everything that has been said on your behalf into account.

“The punishment part of the sentence will be fixed at 15 years.”

At earlier proceedings, the court heard how the couple had met in 2015 while Buchanan was on holiday in Thailand. They married two years later.

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “Darrel Odhiambo was a loving mother, daughter, sister and friend, who had the right to be safe in her relationship and home.

“But instead, she was murdered by her husband, Walter Buchanan, whose wicked actions have robbed her of her future.

“He has now been held accountable following this prosecution, which I hope brings some comfort to all those affected by his offending.

“Domestic abuse is an unacceptable blight on our communities and perpetrators must be brought to justice.

“I would encourage all victims of similar offending to report their experiences to the authorities and seek support.”