Stephen Farrow trial: Jury retires to consider verdict on vicar murder

A JURY has retired to consider its verdicts in the trial of a drifter charged with the murder of Thornbury vicar the Reverend John Suddards.

“Psychopath” Stephen Farrow killed Rev Suddards and spoke to a doctor about it as casually as talking about shopping, a court heard.

Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Tim Rogers told Bristol Crown Court he believed the drifter suffered from a rare personality disorder which bore psychopathic hallmarks.

He said though Farrow was not mentally ill, his condition meant he was unable to exercise self-control or guilt.

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Farrow, 48, admits that, over last Christmas last year, he burgled Vine Cottage in Thornbury.

But he denies that he went on to murder 77-year-old Betty Yates at her home in Worcestershire in January.

Though he admits manslaughter of 59-year-old Rev Suddards, he denies murdering the cleric at his vicarage in February with the partial defence of diminished responsibility.

The case continues.