Murdered vicar's sister speaks out - WalesOnline

The sister of a vicar murdered by a homeless drifter has called for tighter controls on dangerous psychopaths - and questioned whether they should be free to walk the streets.

Hilary Bosworth spoke out as a High Court judge told Stephen Farrow he would never be released from prison for the "dreadful, horrific and sadistic" killings of her brother, the Rev John Suddards, 59, and retired teacher Betty Yates, 77.

Mrs Bosworth, from Bridport, Dorset, said: "Do we, as a country, do enough to ensure that psychopaths, with a known history of violence and criminal offences, are not left roaming around at large, ready to attack someone?

"Do we perhaps need to think again about how me might better monitor those people in our communities who present a real risk to society."

Mrs Yates's son, David, added: "We should all be relieved and thankful that Stephen Farrow is off the streets of Britain today. It is clear from his own words that had he not been caught he would have continued to kill others and leave more misery in his wake."

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Stephen Farrow was a sadistic and remorseless killer.

"I would like to pay tribute to the two innocent victims in this case. Betty Yates and John Suddards were in every way exemplary members of our community.They were decent, honest people who went out of their way to help people in need. It is that fact alone that makes this the most awful of cases."

Farrow, 48, showed no emotion in the dock at Bristol Crown Court as Mr Justice Field told him he would die in prison for the two murders, which were committed just six weeks apart in January and February this year.

"Stephen Farrow, you have been found guilty of two horrific murders," the judge said. "I am satisfied that in your case a whole life sentence is an appropriate sentence in each of these dreadful, horrific killings. In my judgment, you acted sadistically.

"To put a knife deep into the body of Betty Yates as she lay helpless on the floor, having arranged her head on the pillow, was an act of absolute sadism. You did that because you wanted to. She wasn't threatening you. You put that knife in her to have the pleasure of doing it."