Man held over vicar and OAP murders

Feb 20 2012

A man is being questioned over the murders of a clergyman killed at his vicarage and a pensioner stabbed to death at her home.

Stephen Farrow, 47, was arrested in Folkestone, Kent, on Sunday on suspicion of murdering the Rev John Suddards, 59, in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, last Tuesday.

Police also arrested him over the death of retired teacher Betty Yates, 77, who was killed at her cottage in Bewdley, Worcestershire, on January 2.

Farrow was detained by Kent Police at around 4.20am after Avon and Somerset Police launched a nationwide appeal and officers received a tip-off from the public.

West Mercia Police officers investigating Mrs Yates's death said the two murders had been "formally linked".

A spokesman confirmed a 47-year-old man was arrested in Kent on behalf of the force and was being transferred into the custody of Avon and Somerset Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson said: "We would like to thank Avon and Somerset Police for their help in our investigation. We have been working with them to examine similarities between the deaths of Betty Yates and the Rev John Suddards."

Mr Suddards was found stabbed to death at his home in Castle Street in Thornbury by workmen who arrived at the vicarage next to St Mary's Church and found it was locked. 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.

A candlelit vigil to mark a week since Mr Suddards died will be held at St Mary's Church on Monday, according to the church's website. It said it was being held between 10pm and midnight, saying it was "the time of his death last week".

Police seized a white Citroen van at about 11.30pm on Tuesday, hours after arresting a 43-year-old man over Mr Suddards' death. He was later released on bail.