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John Suddards and Betty Yates murders: Police given more time to quiz man | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Police have a further 36 hours to question a man over the murders of a vicar in South Gloucestershire and a pensioner in Worcestershire. | Police have a further 36 hours to question a man over the murders of a vicar in South Gloucestershire and a pensioner in Worcestershire. |
Stephen Farrow, 47, was arrested in Folkestone, Kent, on Sunday over the killing of Reverend John Suddards, 59, found dead in Thornbury last Tuesday. | Stephen Farrow, 47, was arrested in Folkestone, Kent, on Sunday over the killing of Reverend John Suddards, 59, found dead in Thornbury last Tuesday. |
Mr Farrow was later arrested over the death of Betty Yates, 77, who was found at her cottage near Bewdley last month. | Mr Farrow was later arrested over the death of Betty Yates, 77, who was found at her cottage near Bewdley last month. |
Officers now have until early on Wednesday to charge or release him. | Officers now have until early on Wednesday to charge or release him. |
Police had launched a nationwide appeal for the suspect on Saturday. | Police had launched a nationwide appeal for the suspect on Saturday. |
'Formally linked' | 'Formally linked' |
He was arrested by Kent Police at about 04:20 GMT on Sunday, by officers acting on a tip-off from the public. | He was arrested by Kent Police at about 04:20 GMT on Sunday, by officers acting on a tip-off from the public. |
West Mercia Police said they had "formally linked" the murders of Mr Suddards and Mrs Yates. | West Mercia Police said they had "formally linked" the murders of Mr Suddards and Mrs Yates. |
Det Chief Insp Neil Jamieson said: "We would like to thank Avon and Somerset Police for their help in our investigation. | Det Chief Insp 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 Reverend John Suddards." | "We have been working with them to examine similarities between the deaths of Betty Yates and the Reverend John Suddards." |
Mrs Yates, a retired teacher, was found stabbed to death at the foot of the stairs in her home on the banks of the River Severn, on 4 January. | Mrs Yates, a retired teacher, was found stabbed to death at the foot of the stairs in her home on the banks of the River Severn, on 4 January. |
She had also been beaten with her walking stick. | She had also been beaten with her walking stick. |
A man was arrested on 2 February and questioned by police investigating her death but he was later released on bail. | A man was arrested on 2 February and questioned by police investigating her death but he was later released on bail. |
Mr Suddards was found stabbed to death at his vicarage in Castle Street, last Tuesday. | Mr Suddards was found stabbed to death at his vicarage in Castle Street, last Tuesday. |
Police later arrested a 43-year-old man, but on Saturday he was released without charge. | Police later arrested a 43-year-old man, but on Saturday he was released without charge. |
Mr Suddards was a former barrister who joined the clergy 22 years ago after a serious car crash. | Mr Suddards was a former barrister who joined the clergy 22 years ago after a serious car crash. |
He moved to the Thornbury parish six months ago, having served at St Nicolas Church in Witham, Essex, for 10 years and before that at Great Yeldham parish, 20 miles away. | He moved to the Thornbury parish six months ago, having served at St Nicolas Church in Witham, Essex, for 10 years and before that at Great Yeldham parish, 20 miles away. |