Criminal Victor Farrant, 74, serving a life sentence, has died in prison

Victor Farrant, a rapist serving a life sentence for murdering his ex-girlfriend, has died in prison.

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

The children of Glenda Hoskins, who he killed, said his death ends an “excruciating two months” since they heard he was being considered for early release and that everyone should “feel safer that this recidivist psychopath will not strike again.”

He had been suffering from a long-term health condition and a coroner will now investigate the cause of his death.

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

Jailing him for life, Mr Justice Butterfield, sitting at Winchester Crown Court in 1998, said Farrant was so dangerous he “should never be released”.

In a joint statement on Monday, Mrs Hoskins’ children Iain, Katie and David said: ‘Farrant’s entire life sentence and the judges’ remarks that he should have died in prison should have been respected.

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

“His death, however, brings to a close a very painful chapter for all of us.

“We and the public at large should certainly feel safer that this recidivist psychopath will not strike again.”

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

A multi-agency public protection (Mappa) meeting in April reviewed the case which the family said had been passed on to the prison governor to decide whether to make a formal application for his release.

Farrant was jailed in November 1988 for 12 years for rape and other offences, but just weeks after he was released on November 7, 1995, he beat Ms Fidler at her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Six weeks later, he murdered accountant Mrs Hoskins at her luxury waterfront home in Portsmouth by pushing her under water in the bathroom.

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

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

After hearing of his death, the Hoskins family said: “This brings to an end two painful months since we were contacted by the Department of Justice about plans being made for his early release.

“As victims, the lack of information and clarity of the steps in this process was astounding and unhelpful.

“Our feeling is, while still respecting the court process, a tremendous amount of pain and mental anguish could have been spared by allowing us better access to the factual elements of his release petition.”

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

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