Stephen Farrow guilty of Betty Yates murder

Stephen Farrow, aged 48, was told he will spend the rest of his life in prison for the killings.

Both Mrs Yates and Rev Suddards were viciously attacked in their own homes six weeks apart by Farrow.

He stabbed Mrs Yates in the head and neck and beat her with her own walking stick at her secluded Bewdley cottage.

He then tidied up after himself at her Riverscroft home, which overlooks the River Severn, and drew the blinds before leaving her lying at the foot of the stairs.

The 77-year-old was only discovered when friends became concerned after she did not turn up for a walking group in the town.

Farrow, who had fished in the river near Mrs Yates's home a number of times and knew the area well, had denied being anywhere near Bewdley when Mrs Yates died between January 2 and 4.

But a jury of eight men and four women at Bristol Crown Court today found him guilty of murder after nearly 11 hours of deliberation following a four-week trial.

Farrow was also found guilty of murdering Rev Suddards, aged 59, who was found stabbed to death in his vicarage in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire.

He admitted the vicar's manslaughter but denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to mental health problems including him being diagnosed as a psychopath.

The court previously heard he stabbed the vicar in the chest, shoulder and neck and then carefully positioned a bible, painting of Jesus and mirror around him.

He then spent the night in the vicarage watching DVDs and drinking beer with the body yards away. Farrow showed no emotion as he was told he would spend the rest of his life in prison.

Mr Justice Field told him: "In each of these dreadful and horrific killings, in my judgment, you acted sadistically.

"To put the knife into the body of Betty Yates as she lay helpless on the floor, having arranged her head on the pillow was an obvious act of sadism.

"You did this because you wanted to. She wasn't threatening you.

"You put the knife into her to have the pleasure of doing so."

Speaking of the sentence, he said: "I have to consider whether you should be subject to a whole life sentence or whether a minimum term should be set for parole. I am satisfied that in your case, a whole life sentence is appropriate."

Prosecutor Mr Michael Fitton previously told the trial that a footprint on an exercise mat in Mrs Yates's house matched Farrow's boots, while DNA on the back of the pensioner's hand represented a one in a billion match to his.

A man matching Farrow's description was described as looking like he was "on a mission" walking away from Mrs Yates's home on the day she died.

Mrs Yates, who had been a teacher in Kidderminster and Streetly, was believed to have been attacked from behind.

During the trial the jury had heard that Farrow had demonstrated many of the characteristics of a psychopath. When he was a child he had set fire to a church and had shot dead a swan.

Farrow was arrested in Folkestone, Kent in February following a tip-off from the public following a nationwide manhunt.

Former pupils friends held a candlelit vigil outside Mrs Yates's home days after her death.

A Facebook page was also set up in her honour and continues to be updated regularly.

In April, more than 400 attended a memorial service for Mrs Yates at St Anne's Church in Bewdley.

Emotional

Mrs Yates, who had two children Hazel Costello and David Yates, taught at St John's School, Kidderminster, and Foley First School, Streetly, and was a member of the Wyre Forest University of the Third Age, an activities group for older people.

She was also an enthusiastic swimmer, taking part in regular lessons.

Mrs Yates son and daughter made an emotional appeal following the murder and paid tribute to their mother, saying she was at the heart of the community in Bewdley.

By Adam Burling