Rev John Suddards

A 47-YEAR-OLD man was today charged with the murders of former Essex vicar John Suddards and retired teacher Betty Yates.

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Stephen Farrow will appear before North Avon Magistrates’ Court tomorrow accused of killing the clergyman and the pensioner.

Farrow was arrested in Folkestone, Kent, on Sunday following a tip-off from the public after Avon and Somerset Police launched a nationwide manhunt.

Mr Suddards, 59, was found stabbed to death at his home in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, on February 14, while Mrs Yates, 77, was also knifed to death at her cottage in Bewdley, Worcestershire, on January 2.

Farrow is accused of the murder of Mr Suddards between February 13 and 14 and the murder of Betty Yates between January 1 and 5.

Farrow also faces a charge of burglary relating to a property in Thornbury between December 21 2011 and January 3 2012.

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.”

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

The news of Mr Suddards’ death sent shockwaves through the clergy and the close-knit community, which lies about 11 miles north of Bristol.

He had only taken up his post last July, having come from the diocese of Chelmsford.

The former barrister moved to the area after serving at St Nicolas Church in Witham, since 2001 and before that at Great Yeldham parish, 20 miles away.

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

It is believed a man in his 40s had been sleeping in the van.

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.

West Mercia officers investigating Mrs Yates’ killing arrested and questioned a man on February 2 before he was released on bail.

After her death, Mrs Yates’ son and daughter made an emotional appeal for help to bring their mother’s killer to justice.

Hazel Costello, along with her brother David Yates, said: “We are completely bewildered as to who could carry out such a savage attack on our mother.

“That this should have happened in her home makes this even more difficult to bear.”