Dorset Police cleared over Betty murderer texts (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Dorset Police cleared over Betty murderer texts

5:04pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in Local

AN INTERNAL review has cleared police officers after threatening text messages were sent to a woman by Stephen Farrow, who went on to murder Bewdley pensioner Betty Yates just days later.

Farrow sent the message to friend Michaela Rowsell on New Year’s Eve in 2011 warning he was going to hurt someone and the church would be first.

He went on to kill widow and former teacher Mrs Yates on January 2, 2012 and later the Rev John Suddards, in Thornbury, south Gloucestershire.

Police held an internal investigation which has now concluded that the force responded appropriately and that there was no misconduct.

A spokesman said: “Dorset Police received a call from a woman on New Year's Eve 2011 reporting that she had received threatening text messages from a man making veiled threats against her and the church. This man went on to commit two murders. Both victims were linked to the church.

“An internal investigation has been completed and the force has concluded that Dorset Police responded appropriately given the information available at the time. No misconduct has been identified.”