‘Christian scum’
killer left porn
on vicar’s body

Defendant Stephen Farrow, 48, stayed overnight, watched an Indiana Jones film and drank beer before leaving next day.

Farrow admits the manslaughter of the Rev John Suddards, a former Yorkshire barrister, but denies murdering him, claiming diminished responsibility.

He is also standing trial at Bristol Crown Court for the murder of retired teacher Betty Yates between January 1 and 5, which he denies.

Mrs Yates, 77, was stabbed at her cottage in Bewdley, Worcestershire, on January 2.

Prosecutor Michael Fitton QC revealed homeless Farrow had admitted burgling a cottage nearby a few weeks earlier, where a note was found threatening to kill “Christian scum”.

The body of Mr Suddards was found on February 14 by builders. “He was lying on his back, fully clothed, his spectacles on the bridge of his nose,” Mr Fitton said.

“By his head and neck there was a pool of blood and by his left arm was a kitchen knife. On his chest there lay a Bible, the pages opened to the Letter of Jude, but so the pages were on his chest.”

A canvas of Christ on the cross had been propped up nearby so that its reflection could be seen from the position of the body.

Over the body were streamers discharged from party poppers.”

Mr Fitton also described other items left to “harm the reputation and memory” of the clergyman.

“There was a parking fixed-penalty notice, men’s magazines which showed male figures,” Mr Fitton said. “Arranged on his crotch was a calendar which showed a male figure. There was a condom package.”

He said that around the body were strewn three DVDs with “homosexual connotations”, underwear and a “silver rings”.

News of his Mr Suddards’s death sent shockwaves through the clergy and the close-knit village of Thornbury near Bristol.

Having carried out the killing, which involved a number of injuries including stab wounds to the neck and chest, Farrow was then said to have spent the night there drinking and watching DVDs.

The court was told earlier that Farrow admitted carrying out a burglary in which a note threatening to kill “Christian scum” was pinned to the table with knives.

It was found on the kitchen table at Vine Cottage and read: “Be thankful you didn’t come back or we will have killed you, Christian scum. I f****** hate God.”

The owners, Alan and Margaret Pinder, had spent Christmas and New Year away. When they returned home on January 2 they discovered the burglary.

The jury heard forensic scientists had matched boot markings at the scene with those recovered from the defendant later – a detail linking all three cases.

They were told that while Farrow has admitted the manslaughter of Mr Suddards on the ground of diminished responsibility, he denies any involvement in the death of Mrs Yates.

The prosecution accepts he is mentally ill but say he was still responsible for his actions.

Farrow was arrested in Folkestone, Kent, in February after a nationwide manhunt.

The trial continues.