Wendy Speakes murder: Releasing shoe fetish killer from prison would ‘play Russian roulette’ with women’s safety, says former detective

Former Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Johnston spoke days before Farrow is due to appear before the parole board in his bid to be released from prison after 22 years.Farrow, from Cookridge, Leeds, carried out the random killing of Wendy Speakes at her home on Balne Lane, Wakefield, on March 15, 1994.

He forced his way into his victim’s home before tying her up with a pair of stockings and forcing her to wear a pair of blue mule shoes.

The 51-year-old receptionist was then raped and stabbed to death.The father-of-three was caught after a six-year manhunt and jailed for life in 2000.

Farrow’s third parole hearing is expected to be held on Friday (November 25).

Mr Johnston described Farrow as “evil beyond belief” and said he would always pose a risk to women.

The former West Yorkshire Police detective said: “It is about risk assessment and then how you manage that risk.

“Sometimes, where the risk is so high, the only way it can be managed is by incarceration.

“That, in my opinion, is the case with Farrow.

“Anything less would amount to playing Russian roulette with the safety of every woman in the UK.

“That is not something a society that values women’s safety can countenance.”

Police said at the time Farrow was locked up that he could have gone on to be a serial killer had he not been caught.

Farrow was assessed as unsuitable for release at his last parole hearing in 2020.

In 2018, the Parole Board recommended Farrow be moved to an open prison in preparation for eventual release but he was later returned to a secure prison.

Mr Johnston said: “If anyone is prepared to evidence that Farrow poses no risk at all then let him go out.

“But, of course, no one can go anywhere near to saying that.

“To even consider releasing him and putting women at risk is, in my view, unconscionable.

“Some argue that risk can be managed in the community.

“But the truth is, it can’t.

“Agencies simply don’t have the resources to do that for someone like Farrow.

“He would have to be controlled 24 hours a day, seven days a week, forever.

“Women should expect the state to guarantee their safety whenever the state has the opportunity to do so, not to take unnecessary risks with someone who has already demonstrated evil beyond belief.”

It is understood that Farrow has expressed a firm wish to return to Leeds if granted release into the community on licence.

Mrs Speakes’ daughter, Tracey Millington-Jones, plans to attend Farrow’s hearing on Friday as part of her fight to keep him locked up.Farrow was jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court in November 2000 after pleading guilty to the rape and murder of Mrs Speakes and was told he must serve a minimum of 18 years in prison.

Farrow also admitted the attempted burglary of another woman’s house with intent to rape her less than an hour earlier.

When Farrow appeared in court charged with murdering Ms Speakes, he also faced attempted burglary charges in connection with an attempt to enter the home of a third woman in Meltham, Kirklees.

He denied involvement and the charge was left on file.

In 2019, another woman, Melanie Jayne described how she believes Farrow tried to force his way into her home in Wakefield weeks after killing Mrs Speakes in 1994.

Melanie was aged 24 at the time and was living in Regent Street, Agbrigg, when she believes Farrow knocked on her door and pretended to ask for directions.

She said: “All the time his foot was edging closer to the threshold of the door.

“I slammed the door on him and ran upstairs to the bedroom.

“I looked out of the window and could see him running away through the cemetery near my house.”

Melanie said a further sinister element of the case is that she may have been targeted because she, like Mrs Speakes, worked as a barmaid in Wakefield at the time of the incident.

Mrs Speakes had worked at the Forresters Arms, on Barnsley Road, and the Inns of Court in Wakefield city centre.

Melanie worked behind the bar at the former Bleasby’s pub, on Northgate.

She added: “A lot of people think that at the time he had been stalking barmaids and following them home.”

A case review team from West Yorkshire Police visited Melanie in 2019.

The Force later confirmed they were looking into the Farrow’s offending and were working closely with the Parole Board, The Crown Prosecution Service and probation services.

Mrs Millington-Jones said: “Mum wasn’t the only one who was stalked by Farrow.

“We know he preyed on other victims and I am convinced there are others out there too.

“I would urge anyone else who may have been a victim of his to contact the police.”