Justice Secretary blocks bid to move Wakefield 'shoe fetish murderer' to open prison
Christopher Farrow is serving life for the 1994 murder of Wendy Speakes
A recommendation to transfer a man who raped and murderered a woman in her own home in Wakefield to an open prison has been rejected.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood turned down the Parole Board proposal to move Christopher Farrow to less secure jail conditions.
Shoe fetishist Farrow forced his way into Wendy Speakes’ home in Balne Lane, Wakefield, in March 1994 before stabbing her to death in a sex attack.
Farrow, from Cookridge, Leeds, was given a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 18 years in 2000.
A Parole Board report, published last month, said Farrow should not be freed but should move to an open prison, the least secure jail category.
Ms Mahmood was required to make the final decision whether to accept the recommendation.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Wendy Speakes’ murder was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with her friends and family.
“Public protection is our number one priority which is why we have blocked Christopher Farrow’s transfer to open prison.”
Mrs Speakes’ daughter Trecey Millington-Jones said: “It is reassuring that victims are being heard and put first.
“The fact we victims should not have to go through this every two years is another concern which needs to be heard.
“But for now, I am very grateful that women will be safe from Chrisopher Farrow.”
Ms Millington-Jones thanked Ms Mahmood, her MP Sir John Whittingdale and the media for supporting her campaign to keep Farrow in prison.
She added: “Justice should be served for the pre-meditated horrific murder of my innocent lovely mum.”
Ms Millington-Jones previously said she was “shocked and appalled” by the proposal.
In a letter to Ms Mahmood, she said: “Farrow cold-bloodedly and premeditatedly murdered my mother, having stalked women both before and after her death.
“He harbours a deeply-rooted hatred of women and has exhibited violent urges to kill when experiencing anger or difficulties in relationships”.
Farrow, now aged 63, has spent almost 25 years in prison since being sentenced.
The father-of-three targeted Mrs Speakes at her home in Balne Lane before forcing his way in.
He tied 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.
Farrow has been denied release on four occasions, following hearings in 2018, 2020 and 2023.
He was moved to an open prison in 2018 when his minimum term ended but was returned to a closed jail the next year.
A Parole Board decision summary published in March said Farrow had completed “extensive” work in custody including sessions with a psychologist, but only recent work had allowed professionals to say he showed insight into his offending.
The board heard he completed an accredited programme to address “offence-related sexual thoughts” in 2024.
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