Tracey Millington-Jones, whose mum Wendy Speakes was subjected to an in a horrific sex attack 30 years ago in Wakefield, Yorskshire, is horrified by plans to move her killer
A woman whose mum was raped and murdered by a man dubbed the “shoe fetish killer” is urging the Justice Secretary to block ‘reckless and risky’ Parole Board plans to transfer him to an open prison.
Tracey Millington-Jones has labelled the Parole Board’s recommendation to move Christopher Farrow, who brutally killed her mum Wendy Speakes in a horrific sex attack 30 years ago, as “reckless and risky”. In March 1994 Farrow broke into Ms Speakes’ home in Wakefield and murdered her in a violent assault.
He was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years in 2000 after he admitted to the murder. A recent Parole Board report advised against Farrow’s release, but it recommended his transfer to an open prison, which is the category with the least stringent security measures.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to decide on this contentious recommendation later in the month. Ms Millington-Jones expressed her horror at the proposal in a letter to him stating she is “shocked and appalled”. She has also reached out to victims’ commissioner Baroness Newlove, saying the recommendation “clearly undermines public confidence within the criminal justice system”.
In her letter to Ms Mahmood, Ms Millington-Jones wrote: “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, who is now 63-years-old, has spent nearly a quarter of a century behind bars since his sentencing, Yorkshire Live reports. Leeds Crown Court was told that Farrow had initially planned to rape another woman after stalking her for several days, but was unable to gain entry into her home. He then focused his attention on Mrs Speakes, who he spoke to on her doorstep before forcefully entering her home.
The father-of-three secured her with stockings and made her don a pair of blue mule shoes. The 51-year-old receptionist was then raped and stabbed to death. Farrow’s appeals for release have been rejected four times, with parole hearings conducted in 2018, 2020, and most recently in 2023.
His status was momentarily adjusted to an open prison when his minimum term lapsed in 2018, but he was transferred back to a closed facility in 2019. Ms Millington-Jones says in her letter: “Only 22 months ago the Parole Board deemed him too great a risk to be released. What has changed in such a short time to now justify this decision? It appears to be that he undertook a course after the last decision in 2023 and spoke to some professionals. There can be no guarantee that he no longer poses a danger because, in reality, there is none.
“I urge you please to reject this reckless and risky recommendation and prioritise the safety of women by preventing a serial stalker, rapist and murderer from being reintegrated into society. If released, he will return to Yorkshire, posing an ongoing threat. For the protection of women, I implore you to do what is right and ensure that Christopher Farrow remains incarcerated.”
The Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Wendy Speakes’ murder was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with her friends and family. The independent Parole Board has recommended Christopher Farrow’s transfer to open conditions after a risk assessment and there is a stringent three-step test which must be met before we accept that recommendation. A decision will be made in due course”.
According to a summary from the Parole Board, Farrow had engaged in “extensive” work during his imprisonment, including sessions with a psychologist; however, only recently have professionals indicated he had gained insight into his crimes. It was heard by the board that he successfully finished a course aimed at tackling “offence-related sexual thoughts” as recently as 2024.
