Victor Farrant: Rapist who murdered ex-girlfriend dies in prison

Victor Farrant, a rapist who was serving a life sentence after murdering his former girlfriend, has died in prison.

The Prison Service said Farrant, 74, died at HMP Wakefield on Friday.

Victim Glenda Hoskins’ children said his death capped an “agonizing two months” since they learned he was being considered for early release.

They added that everyone “should feel more confident that this repeat offender psychopath will not strike again.”

Farrant suffered from a long-standing health condition before his death and a coroner will now investigate the cause of death.

He was convicted of the murder of Ms Hoskins, 44, his former girlfriend and mother of three, and the attempted murder of Ann Fidler, 45, in 1996.

Sentencing him to life in prison at Winchester Crown Court in 1998, Judge Butterfield said Farrant was so dangerous he should “never be released”.

In a joint statement on Monday, Ms Hoskins’ children, Iain, Katie and David, said: “Farrant’s life sentence and the judge’s comment that he should die in prison should have been respected.”

“However, Farrant’s death, like his imprisonment, changes nothing for us. The circumstances and death of our mother, Glenda Hoskins, will haunt us for the rest of our lives.”

“However, his death ends a very painful chapter for all of us.

“We and the general public should definitely be more confident that this repeat offender psychopath will not strike again.”

Earlier this year, Ms Hoskins’ family said they had been contacted by officials who said Farrant was being considered for special leave because he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had months to live.

In April, the case was examined at a Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa) meeting and the family said the case had been referred to the prison director to decide whether to make a formal request for his release .

Farrant was sentenced to 12 years in prison for rape and other offenses in November 1988, but just weeks after his release on November 7, 1995, he beat Ms Fidler at her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Six weeks later he murdered accountant Ms Hoskins in her luxury waterfront home in Portsmouth by pushing her underwater in the bathtub.

He left her body in the attic, where it was found by her 15-year-old daughter Katie.

After killing Ms Hoskins, Farrant escaped and was eventually found in the south of France.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “Victor Farrant died at HMP Wakefield on May 3rd.

“As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed.”