Man accused of killing vicar "shot dead a swan"
Court hears how a homeless drifter accused of killing a vicar in south Gloucestershire shot dead a swan with an air gun
CCTV images of Farrow after killing vicar shown to jury
Images of a killer filmed on CCTV moments after he stabbed a vicar to death in South Gloucestershire were shown to a jury today.
Workmen "shocked" at finding vicar's body
A parishioner and two workmen have told a jury of their shock at discovering the body of a vicar in south Gloucestershire.
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Police say Farrow would have struck again
The detective leading the inquiry, DCI Simon Crisp, told ITV West that Stephen Farrow would have murdered more people if he hadn't been caught.
Judge says Farrow was a sadist
The Judge, Mr Justice Field, said Farrow should spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The Revered told you he would die and you repeated '***ing die then, hurry up and die'.You watched him die as life seeped out of him in the next three minutes.You then ransacked and placed a number of highly personal items around him. I am quite sure you did that to humiliate the Reverend and desecrate his memory.
I am quite sure you realised you would humiliate his family and the parishioners and congregation of the church. In each of these dreadful horrific killings you acted sadistically to put a knife deep into the body of Betty Yates as she lay helpless on the floor.
– Mr Justice Field, JudgeYou then arranged her head on the pillow, which was an act of obvious sadism. You did that because you wanted to, she was not threatening you.In my view there is no question in this case of the imposition of a minimum term.
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Vicar's sister says verdict was just
The sister of the Rev John Suddards has welcomed Stephen Farrow's conviction for murder. Hilary Bosworth told reporters outside court that the verdict was a just one which reflected the gravity of the situation.
She also praised the brilliance of the police detective work which led to Farrow being caught within 6 days.
Bishops offer support
The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Michael Perham and the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Revd John Went, issued a joint statement after the conviction and sentencing of Stephen farrow.
– Joint Bishops' statementAs a Diocese we are pleased that the trial of Stephen Farrow is over and a sentence has been reached.Recent months have been an immensely hard and painful time, both for John Suddards’ family and also the parishes of Thornbury and Oldbury-on-Severn where John had been vicar for such a short time, but had already come to be much loved.
– Joint Bishops' statementThe end of the trial and the sentencing means family and parishes can now move on, though of course still with a great sense of loss.As a Diocese we shall continue to provide ongoing support for those who have been through this immensely painful time and hold them in our prayers.
Thornbury shocked by vicar's murder
The murder of the Rev John Suddards by Stephen Farrow devastated the close-knit community of Thornbury. Richard Payne reports on the impact on the quiet South Gloucestershire town.
Farrow sentenced to life
Stephen Farrow, 48, who was convicted of the murders of the Rev John Suddards from Thornbury and retired teacher Betty Yates, was today told he would spend the rest of his life in prison by a judge at Bristol Crown Court
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Farrow guilty of double murder
A homeless drifter was convicted today of the brutal murders of a Thornbury vicar and a retired teacher in their homes.
Stephen Farrow, 48, was found guilty of killing the Rev John Suddards, 59, and Betty Yates, 77, by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.
Farrow, who was diagnosed as a psychopath, denied the murders of Mr Suddards and Mrs Yates.
But Farrow, of no fixed abode, admitted the clergyman's manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, and a separate burglary.
Farrow had an obsession with religion - claiming he had been sexually abused at boarding school by a priest - and wanted to murder the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The murder of Mr Suddards at his vicarage in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, was the culmination of a two-month reign of terror in which Farrow killed Mrs Yates and threatened to kill "Christian scum".
Farrow guilty of vicarage murder
Stephen Farrow, 48, has been convicted of the murders of the Rev John Suddards in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, and retired teacher Betty Yates, in Bewdley, Worcestershire, by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.
Farrow jury to resume deliberations
Jurors in the trial of a homeless drifter accused of the murders of a vicar in South Gloucestershire and a retired teacher in Worcestershire will resume their deliberations this morning.
Stephen Farrow admits the manslaughter of Rev John Suddards but denies murdering the clergyman between February 12 and 15 this year on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
His also denies the murder of Betty Yates between January 1 and 5 this year. Both victims were found stabbed in their homes.
Man accused of killing vicar "shot dead a swan"
Court hears how a homeless drifter accused of killing a vicar in south Gloucestershire shot dead a swan with an air gun
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