Police praised by sister of murdered vicar (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Police praised by sister of murdered vicar

2:58pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in News

THE sister of murdered vicar John Suddards has praised police for apprehending Stephen Farrow.

Hilary Bosworth described the verdict and life sentences handed to the drifter as “just”.

She said: "My brother John was a good man, who dedicated his life to serving God and helping other people.

"He was a much loved uncle to my three children, and a dear friend to so many, and he is greatly missed.

"In the nine months since John died, we have experienced all the grief of losing a loved one, but we have also had to come to terms with the fact that John's life was taken, in a very violent and totally unprovoked attack, in his own home.”

Mrs Bosworth, from Dorset, described Farrow’s arrest six days after the second murder as a “brilliant piece of police worK” by Avon and Somerset Police and Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp.

She also thanked the Crown Prosecution Service and the family liaison officer, Detective Constable Peter Fowler.

Mrs Bosworth added: "Like many other tragic events, the shocking deaths of John and Betty Yates raise many questions.

"How might things have been different? What could have been done to avert these tragedies?

"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.

"These are not questions for us here today, but they do, in my view, merit some serious consideration.”

Mrs Yates, who was a widow, left behind her two children, Hazel and David, and many other family members and friends.

Hazel Costello said: "We are not in denial about the circumstances of her death but we can and do choose to concentrate on the joy she gave in life. To do otherwise would be a betrayal."

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