More time to quiz man on vicar and pensioner murders

Police have been given more time to question a man on suspicion of the murder of a clergyman and a retired teacher.

Stephen Farrow, 47, remains in custody after Avon and Somerset officers were yesterday granted a further 36 hours to question him in connection with the deaths of the Rev John Suddards, and pensioner Betty Yates.

Farrow was arrested in Folkestone, Kent, on Sunday on suspicion of murdering former Yorkshire barrister Mr Suddards, 59, who was found stabbed to death at his home in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, last Tuesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was later arrested on suspicion of murdering retired teacher Betty Yates, 77, who was knifed to death at her cottage in Bewdley, Worcestershire, on January 2.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokeswoman said: “This warrant is for an additional 36 hours. This takes us until the early hours of Wednesday.”

Mr Suddards’s body was found by workmen who had arrived at the vicarage next to St Mary’s Church in Castle Street.

A former barrister, he had taken up his post only last July, having come from the diocese of Chelmsford in Essex where he had spent more than 20 years. Parishioners held a private candlelight vigil at St Mary’s Church last night.

Mrs Yates was found dead at the bottom of stairs at her home on the banks of the River Severn on January 4, having been killed two days earlier.

Related topics: