Dogged police attempts to find a match for a partial fingerprint left at the crime scene finally led to the capture of Shoe Fetish Killer Christopher Farrow, six years after he committed his horrific crime.
In November 2000, Farrow was sentenced to life in prison at Leeds Crown Court, with a minimum term of 18 years, for the rape and murder of Wendy Speakes at her home in Wakefield.
Farrow, who was 33 at the time, forced his way into Mrs Speakes’ home before tying her up with a pair of stockings. He then forced her to wear a pair of blue mule shoes that he had brought with him, earning him the nickname the ‘Shoe Fetish Killer’.
But it was six years before police finally caught the man responsible for the random and degrading attack.
Farrow, of Cookridge, Leeds, was caught after his fingerprints were taken following a drink-driving offence in June 1996 and compared with part of a print left on the handle of Mrs Speakes’ front door.
Apparent similarities led the police to attempt a match, which they did inconclusively three times using a computer system based in the US. However, a final, fourth attempt left little doubt that the print had been left by Farrow.
Bloodstains at the scene were also matched with Farrow’s blood and he admitted the murder.
After the trial, in which the then 39-year-old printer admitted the murder, rape and buggery of Mrs Speakes, police said they would question him about other serious offences.
Police believe Farrow, now 61, would have become a serial rapist or killer if he had not been caught.
(Image: LDRS)
Farrow targeted Wendy at random after following her when she got off a bus. He tied her up with stockings and forced her to wear a pair of blue shoes.
During his trial, jurors heard Farrow had put a pair of women’s shoes on display during the attack on the 51-year-old divorcee as he had a footwear fetish.
He then raped her and stabbed her multiple times to death. On March 15, 1994, Mrs Speakes’ body was found in her Wakefield home but Farrow was not to be found for the next six years.
In November 2000, Farrow was sentenced to life in prison at Leeds Crown Court, with a minimum term of 18 years.
He was also given concurrent sentences for rape, buggery and attempted burglary with the intention of raping another woman.
Farrow has appealed for parole on three occasions, all of which have been denied. In his latest parole hearing earlier this year, the parole board deemed him ‘likely to re-offend’.
The board ruled that Farrow must remain in prison for a minimum of another two years.
Mrs Speakes’ daughter, Tracey Millington-Jones, has since campaigned for Farrow to never be released.
The killer has now been locked up five years beyond his minimum jail term of 18 years.
Series 1 Episode 2 of The Incident Room which focuses on the murder of Wendy Speakes airs tonight, December 6, at 8pm on Channel 5.
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