Victor Farrant, a 74-year-old rapist serving a whole-life sentence for murdering his former girlfriend, has died in prison. The Prison Service confirmed that Farrant died at HMP Wakefield on Friday.
Farrant was convicted in 1998 of murdering Glenda Hoskins, 44, and attempting to murder Ann Fidler, 45, in 1996. Sentencing him, Mr Justice Butterfield at Winchester Crown Court said Farrant was so dangerous he should “never be released”. Farrant had also been jailed in 1988 for 12 years for rape and other offences.
Ms Hoskins’ children, Iain, Katie and David, said his death ends an “agonising two months” since they learned he was being considered for early release due to terminal cancer. They stated: “We, and the public at large should, certainly feel safer that this repeat-offender psychopath will not strike again.”
The family criticised the lack of information during the release process, saying “a huge amount of pain and mental anguish could have been spared”. A Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements meeting in April had reviewed his case.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “Victor Farrant died on May 3 at HMP Wakefield. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed.” A coroner will investigate the cause of death.
