Calculated and Manipulative Murderer: Ben Field's String of Crimes

Strategic Insights -

Benjamin Field was 28 when he was convicted six years ago for the murder of Peter Farquhar, a 69-year-old Christian scholar. Field's motive was to persuade Mr Farquhar to change his will in his favor, which he achieved by duping the pensioner into a sexual relationship and even a gay "marriage." Field spiked Mr Farquhar's food and drinks with drugs, causing him to fear he was losing his mind, and eventually killed him by encouraging him to drink whisky. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 36 years.

Field, described as psychopathic, manipulative, and highly intelligent, quickly lodged an appeal against his conviction. However, he lost and his conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2021. Field continued to fight his conviction and applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to reconsider his case. The CCRC has now referred the case back to the Court of Appeal, potentially allowing Field to be freed.

Field also duped Peter Farquhar's neighbor, 83-year-old Ann Moore-Martin, into thinking she was in love with him. He persuaded her to change her will before her death 18 months later. The police investigation into Field's crimes was extensive, involving an exhumation of a grave and a massive police inquiry.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ben Field was convicted of murdering Peter Farquhar, a 69-year-old Christian scholar, in 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 36 years.
  • Field's motive was to persuade Mr. Farquhar to change his will in his favor, which he achieved by duping the pensioner into a sexual relationship and a gay "marriage."
  • Field was described as psychopathic, manipulative, and highly intelligent and lodged three appeals against his conviction.
  • The CCRC referred Field's case back to the Court of Appeal, potentially allowing him to be freed.
  • Field also duped Peter Farquhar's neighbor, Ann Moore-Martin, into thinking she was in love with him, causing her to change her will before her death.
  • The police investigation into Field's crimes involved an exhumation of a grave and a massive police inquiry.

Statistics:

  • Ben Field was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 36 years.
  • Field lodged three appeals against his conviction, including one in 2021 and another in March 2022.
  • The CCRC received Field's application in September 2022 and referred his case back to the Court of Appeal in [date not specified].
  • Ann Moore-Martin, Field's second victim, died 18 months after changing her will in his favor.
  • The police investigation into Field's crimes involved an exhumation of a grave.

Sources:

  • "Must-read: Ben Field, the Baptist minister's son who became a calculated and manipulative murderer in Maids Moreton" - The Bucks Herald
  • "The Sixth Commandment" - BBC Drama
  • "Britain's most Evil Killers" - Sky Series
  • CCRC guidelines - Criminal Cases Review Commission
  • "Ben Field, the calculated and manipulative murderer" - Image: Bucks Herald