Glen Valance
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- Australia
- Location
- Bordertown, South Australia, Australia
- Date of birth
- 1943
- Age at first offence
- 21
- Characteristics
- rape
- Victim profile
- Richard David Strang (his former employer)
- Method of murder
- Shooting (rifle)
- Date(s) of murder
- June 16, 1964
- Years active
- 1964
- Date of arrest
- Same day
- Status
-
Executed
Executed by hanging on November 24, 1964
Name
Glen Sabre Valance
Status
Glen Sabre Valance was executed by hanging on November 24, 1964.
The offence
In the early hours of June 16, 1964, Glen Valance tied up three station hands at the Koonroon property near Bordertown, South Australia, then entered the bedroom of Richard and Suzanne Strang. Valance shot and killed Richard Strang as he slept and then raped his wife, Suzanne Strang, as she lay alongside her husband's body.
Valance escaped by car and drove towards Adelaide. Suzanne Strang called police. Valance was captured at a road block near Murray Bridge. The rifle was in the car with him.
Investigation and arrest
Mrs Strang called police after Valance drove towards Adelaide. Valance was captured at a road block near Murray Bridge, with the rifle in the car.
Trial
Glen Valance pleaded insanity but was found guilty.
The court sentenced Valance to death by South Australian state Chief Justice Sir Mellis Napier on September 17, 1964.
It was claimed that Valance should have been acquitted on the ground of insanity.
Sentencing
Valance was sentenced to death by South Australian state Chief Justice Sir Mellis Napier on September 17, 1964.
Appeals
The Supreme Court of South Australia dismissed his appeal on October 9. A further application to the High Court of Australia for leave to appeal was rejected on November 9.
Outcome
The death sentence was carried out on November 24, 1964.
Other details
Glen Sabre Valance was aged 21 and was hanged in Adelaide Gaol.
Glen Sabre Valance was the last man executed in South Australia on November 24, 1964, and was the last man to hang in South Australia and the second to last in Australia. Public opinion was building against hanging, and there was a world trend toward the abolition of capital punishment.
Motive and background
Valance claimed he had a grievance with Richard Strang. Valance once worked for Richard Strang but was sacked because Strang accused him of theft. Richard Strang had legal proceedings against Valance for accusing him of theft. Valance claimed Strang owed him money and that it was Strang's fault Valance had his car reprocessed.
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