Wakefield shoe fetish killer denied open prison move

A shoe fetishist who raped and murdered a woman in her own home will not be moved to an open prison, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed.

Christopher Farrow was jailed for life in 2000 for the murder of mother-of-two Wendy Speakes in Wakefield six years previously.

Last month the Parole Board said Farrow, who received a minimum term of 18 years, should not be freed but instead moved to a Category D facility, the least secure.

But the government has blocked the proposal, saying public protection was its “number one priority”.

A spokesperson added: “Wendy Speakes’ murder was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with her friends and family.”

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood was required to make the final decision whether to accept the recommendation.

Farrow raped Ms Speakes, 51, in 1994 after breaking into her home, raiding her shoe drawer and tying her up with black tights. He then stabbed her 11 times.

It took police six years to catch him after advances were made in fingerprint technology.

The Parole Board said that, at the time of the murder, he had a sexual interest in rape, sexual violence, stockings and high-heeled shoes, along with issues in relationships and managing his emotions.

Farrow has been denied release on four occasions, following hearings in 2018, 2020 and 2023.

Ms Speakes’ daughter Tracey Millington-Jones said: “It is reassuring that victims are being heard and put first.

“The fact we victims should not have to go through this every two years is another concern which needs to be heard.

“But for now, I am very grateful that women will be safe from Christopher Farrow.”

Ms Millington-Jones thanked Ms Mahmood, her MP Sir John Whittingdale and the media for supporting her campaign to keep Farrow in prison, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

She added: “Justice should be served for the pre-meditated horrific murder of my innocent lovely mum.”

Farrow, now aged 63, has spent almost 25 years in prison since being sentenced.

On 27 February, at his fourth parole hearing since his minimum term ended, the board heard he had completed an accredited programme last year to address “offence-related sexual thoughts”.

A decision summary from the board said he had completed “extensive” work in custody including sessions with a psychologist, but only recent work had allowed professionals to say he showed insight into his offending.

Farrow, originally from Cookridge in Leeds, was moved to an open prison in 2018 but was returned to a closed jail the next year due to a number of cold case investigations taking place.

The Parole Board confirmed he was no longer a person of interest to police.