A HOMELESS drifter accused of murdering Thornbury vicar the Rev John Suddards and a retired teacher refused to answer any questions following his arrest, a court heard.

Stephen Farrow, 48, answered "No comment" to every question he was asked by detectives during three days of interviews.

He is on trial at Bristol Crown Court charged with murdering Mr Suddards, 59, at his vicarage in Thornbury, and Betty Yates, 77, at her remote cottage in Bewdley, Worcestershire.

A nationwide manhunt was launched for Farrow after the body of Mr Suddards was found on February 14 this year at St Mary's vicarage.

The drifter was arrested five days later at a house in Folkestone, Kent, on suspicion of murdering Mr Suddards.

Farrow was later that day arrested on suspicion of murdering Mrs Yates in January and of committing a separate burglary at Vine Cottage in Thornbury over the Christmas and New Year period.

He was then taken back to Bristol to be interviewed by detectives and was first interviewed on February 20 at Trinity Road police station and again on the next two days.

Detective Constable Wayne Sumsion said that Farrow had a solicitor and an appropriate adult with him during those interviews, which were taped.

"Stephen Farrow was told he was forensically linked to Vine Cottage, Riverscroft and Thornbury vicarage,’’ Mr Sumsion said.

"Thereafter Stephen Farrow answered 'no comment' to every question he was asked."

The following day, February 21, Farrow told police during his next interview: "I'm a bit kind of strange, I just feel different today. I don't know what's wrong."

Mr Sumsion told jurors: "He said he felt okay to continue. Thereafter he answered no comment to every question he was asked."

On the evening of February 22, Farrow was charged with the murders of Mr Suddards, Mrs Yates and the burglary at Vine Cottage in Thornbury.

Mr Sumsion said Farrow again made no comment in response to the charges.

Jurors heard that the defendant had told a mental health nurse that he wanted to crucify Mr Suddards but had left a bag containing nails and a hammer in Eastbourne.

Mr Sumsion confirmed to the court that a rucksack had been recovered from a barn on a farm at Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, which contained an opened packet of nails bought from discount retailer Wilkinson.

Farrow, of no fixed address, was again not present in court yesterday, having refused to leave Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire where he is being held.

He denies two counts of murder but has admitted Mr Suddards's manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Farrow has also pleaded guilty to a burglary of Vine Cottage where a note was left threatening to kill "Christian scum".

Michael Fitton QC, prosecuting, formally closed the Crown's case after Mr Sumsion had finished giving his evidence.

Mr Justice Field adjourned the trial until Monday.