Troubled past of Betty Yates murderer revealed
The families of the psychopath who murdered two including Midlands grandmother Betty Yates have spoken of their relief that he is "off the streets" – as the true extent of his violent past was revealed.
Questions were today raised about why homeless Stephen Farrow was allowed to be free to plan and murder Mrs Yates and the Rev John Suddards.
Farrow was told that he would never be released from jail as he was convicted of the two murders.
The 48-year-old was found guilty of murdering 77-year-old Mrs Yates at her secluded cottage in Bewdley. He was also convicted of murdering Mr Suddards, 59, at his vicarage in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire.
Details of his violent and disturbed past emerged at the end of the four week trial. Farrow was revealed to be a dangerous psychopath, who was jailed for eight years in 1994 for assaulting and threatening to kill a woman pensioner.
He told experts that he fantasised about attacking elderly women and as a child was uncontrollable and enjoyed killing people's pets.
The killer has also been in and out of institutions, scoring "high" in tests showing psychopathic thoughts.
Mrs Yates's son David Yates, 51, said: "We should all be relieved and thankful that Stephen Farrow is off the streets. It is clear from his own words that had he not been caught he would have continued to kill others."
Mr Suddards' sister Hilary Bosworth demanded action to ensure those with a troubled and violent past are monitored. She said the issue needs "serious consideration" in future, adding: "Do we, as a country, do enough to ensure psychopaths with a known history of violence and criminal offences, are not left roaming around at large ready to attack?"
Police today welcomed the sentence handed to Farrow. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, who led the West Mercia investigation, said it was "very rare" to see two life sentences handed down with no chance of parole.
But he said Farrow was a "very, very dangerous individual" who had "shown no remorse" for his actions.
Related articles
Betty Yates' inspiration remembered by all
