Man remanded over Betty Yates murder
The man accused of murdering Betty Yates from just over the Shropshire border in Bewdley and the Thornbury vicar John Suddards has today appeared in court.
Avon and Somerset Police and West Mercia Police yesterday charged 47-year-old Stephen John Farrow with two counts of murder.
Mr Farrow, today appeared at North Avon Magistrates. He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth and that he had no fixed address.
Farrow is charged with murdering the Reverend John Suddards in Thornbury between 13 and 14 February this year and Betty Yates in Bewdley between 1 and 5 January.
In addition the 47-year-old faces a charge of burglary relating to a property in Thornbury, between 21 December, 2011, and 3 January, 2012.
Rev John Suddards, was found dead in his vicarage in Thornbury on Valentine's Day.
Retired teacher Betty Yates was found on New Year's Day at the foot of her stairs at her riverside cottage in Bewdley.
He was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning after a tip off from a member of the public.
Speaking yesterday, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson of West Mercia Police said: “I would like to express my gratitude to those members of the public who have helped us and responded to our appeals and I would also still encourage people to come forward and talk to us if they have information which could assist our inquiry.
“We still have a strong police presence in Bewdley and hope this will help reassure people that the area, and indeed the whole of the West Mercia, remains a very safe place in which to live, work and visit.”
