Victor Farrant, a convicted rapist and murderer, is currently serving a whole-life sentence imposed in 1998 for the brutal killing of his former girlfriend Glenda Hoskins and the attempted murder of Ann Fidler. The case has resurfaced amid concerns over a potential compassionate release due to his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Farrant's criminal history began with his conviction in November 1988, when he was sentenced to a total of 12 years in prison for rape and other serious offences. Upon his release on 7 November 1995, he quickly reoffended. Just weeks later, he savagely beat Ann Fidler, then 45, at her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire, in an attempted murder. Six weeks after that incident, on 14 September 1996, Farrant murdered 44-year-old accountant Glenda Hoskins at her luxury waterside home in Portsmouth by pushing her under the water in the bath and drowning her. He then hid her body in the attic, where it was discovered by her 15-year-old daughter Katie. The family described the murder as involving rape, with Mrs Hoskins subjected to months of terror and stalking beforehand. Farrant fled the scene and was eventually apprehended in the south of France.
At Winchester Crown Court in 1998, Mr Justice Butterfield sentenced Farrant to life imprisonment, stating: "This murder was so terrible and you are so dangerous that in your case the sentence of life should mean just that. You should never be released." The judge's ruling explicitly intended for Farrant to remain in prison for life, whether due to natural causes or illness.
Recently, the family of Glenda Hoskins—Iain, Katie, and David—were informed by officials that Farrant, now diagnosed with terminal cancer and potentially having only months to live, is being considered for compassionate release. In a letter to the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) panel, which met on 9 April 2024 to discuss the matter, the family vehemently objected, writing: "Victor Farrant is an incredibly dangerous man with a hatred of women – if he is sick and dying then I’m afraid this makes him even more dangerous. What has he got to lose by killing/raping again if he knows he has only months to live." They further stated: "Our mother was raped and murdered and subjected to months of terror and stalking by this vile creature – where’s her compassion? He raped and drowned her and rolled her body up in a carpet for her daughter to find." The family argued that his release would be a 'national scandal' and pose a significant risk to the public, citing his history of reoffending without remorse shortly after his previous release.
Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt has also intervened, writing to Justice Secretary Alex Chalk: "He is a danger to women and has demonstrated repeatedly, that he cannot be reformed. I find it deeply troubling that a man such as Mr Farrant is being considered for release on compassionate grounds when it is evident, he displayed no compassion towards his victims." A Ministry of Justice spokesman responded: "Glenda Hoskins’ murder was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with her family and friends. Prisoners are only released on compassionate grounds in exceptional circumstances following strict risk assessments and no formal application has yet been made in this case." Following the MAPPA meeting, the decision rests with the Justice Secretary. The case, reported by The Independent on 10 April 2024, highlights ongoing debates about compassionate releases for life-sentence prisoners.