'I'm terrified they're going to release fetishist who raped and murdered my mum' (2025)

Christopher Farrow raped and murdered Wendy Speakes after stalking her and breaking into her home

The daughter or a woman who was raped and murdered has asked the Justice Secretary to block the Parole Board's plans to transfer her killer.

Christopher Farrow brutally murdered Wendy Speakes in a horrific sex attack 30 years ago. Now her daughter, Tracey Millington-Jones, has called the Parole Board's recommendation to move Farrow as "reckless and risky".

Farrow, from Cookridge in Leeds, was jailed for life with a minimum 18 year term in 2000 after he admitted the murder. Six years earlier in March 1994, the shoe fetishist broke into Wendy Speakes' home in Balne Lane, Wakefield, and murdered her in a violent attack.

Despite recently advising against his release, the Parole Board has recommended Farrow's transfer to an open prison - which is the category with the least stringent security measures. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to decide on the controversial recommendation later this month.

In a letter to the Justice Secretary, Ms Millington-Jones expressed her horror saying she was "shocked and appalled" by the Parole Board's recommendation. 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, has spent nearly a quarter of a century behind bars since his conviction.

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 property. 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 spokesperson 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.

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