Victor Farrant, the convicted murderer serving a whole-life sentence for killing his ex-girlfriend, has died in prison at the age of 74. He passed away on Friday at HMP Wakefield, closing a violent and tragic chapter in criminal history.
Farrant was sentenced for the brutal murder of Glenda Hoskins, his former partner and mother of three children, in Portsmouth. In addition to this, he attempted to murder Ann Fidler in Eastleigh in 1996. At his trial in 1998, Mr Justice Butterfield at Winchester Crown Court ordered that Farrant should “never be released,” citing the extreme danger he posed to society.
Glenda Hoskins’ children — Iain, Katie, and David — issued a joint statement following Farrant’s death. They said: “This repeat-offender psychopath will not strike again.” While they welcomed the closure, they also acknowledged that their mother’s tragic loss will haunt them forever.
Earlier this year, there was public outrage when Farrant, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, was considered for compassionate release. A Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) meeting in April reviewed his case amid fierce concerns from victims’ families.
Farrant’s criminal history is marked by violence and escape. After serving 12 years for rape and other offences, he was released in 1995. Within weeks of his release, he committed an assault on Ann Fidler and the fatal attack on Glenda Hoskins. Following the murder of Glenda Hoskins, Farrant went on the run, prompting an international manhunt. He was eventually captured in the south of France and returned to prison.
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed of Farrant’s death, in line with standard protocol for deaths in custody.
While Farrant’s death closes a grim chapter, it also reignites questions about the justice system’s handling of dangerous offenders. The emotional scars left on victims’ families serve as a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of violent crime.
Originally published by UKNIP.
