Man "confessed" to killing retired teacher, court hears (From Worcester News)

Stephen Farrow told mental health nurse he killed Betty Yates, court hears

3:43pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Elizabeth Sweetman, @lizsweetmanWN #worcsnews

The man accused of killing retired teacher Betty Yates confessed to her murder to a mental health nurse, a court heard today.

Stephen Farrow, 48, told Richard Evans he had not killed "the person" - assumed to mean Betty Yates - on January 1 because this was a Sunday, but had killed her the following day.

Mrs Yates, 77, was found dead in her cottage in Bewdley, Worcestershire, after being beaten with a walking stick and stabbed with a knife.

Jurors at Bristol Crown Court heard that religion and the church had always played an important part in Farrow's life, although he felt scornful towards religious figures.

Farrow spoke to Mr Evans about the significance of the year 2012 - believing it would mark the start of the second coming of Christ.

Reading a statement from Mr Evans, who assessed Farrow following his first appearance at North Avon Magistrates' Court, prosecutor Michael Fitton QC said: "He said 'I didn't kill this person on January 1 because this was a Sunday, so killed her the following day'.

"This is the only account of Mr Farrow telling anyone about the killing of Betty Yates." 

The barrister quoted the statement while questioning defence witness Dr Tim Rogers, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, who assessed Farrow on two separate occasions.

Dr Rogers said: "We have discussed at length how his account is not reliable."

Dr Rogers had yesterday said that Farrow demonstrated many of the characteristics of a psychopath, including that he was a pathological liar.

He told the court that when he had tried to speak to Farrow about the murder of Mrs Yates he would refuse to talk about her.

The court head Farrow denied being in the area at the time of Mrs Yates death but would refuse to say where he was.

Farrow denies murdering 77-year-old Mrs Yates, but admits the manslaughter of Reverend John Suddards, 59, at his vicarage in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire in February, on the grounds of diminshed responsibility.

Farrow has been diagnosed with a long-standing personality disorder.

He was not present in court having refused to leave Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire where he is being held.

Farrow has also pleaded guilty to a burglary of a cottage in Thornbury over the Christmas and new year period where a note was left threatening to kill "Christian scum".