STEPHEN CHAFER/LEONARD: DERBY AND PETERBOROUGH CHILD KILLER AND RAMPAGE ATTACKER
In a disturbing case that spans decades, Stephen Chafer, also known by the alias Stephen Leonard, has once again found himself at the center of a serious criminal conviction, this time for a brutal attempted murder in Peterborough.The events have reopened painful wounds for the families involved and have raised serious questions about the parole system that allowed him to be released multiple times despite his violent past.
Chafer's criminal history is one marked by heinous acts that have shocked the communities of Derby and Peterborough.
As a teenager, he was convicted of the murder of three-year-old Lorraine Holt in Derby in 1979.
Lorraine was found sitting in the snow in her family’s garden when Chafer, then a 17-year-old, encountered her.
After offering her sweets, he carried her to a nearby vicarage, where he sexually assaulted her and stabbed her 39 times.
The autopsy confirmed the severity of his attack, revealing 37 stab wounds.
Chafer later pleaded guilty to her murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Despite his conviction, Chafer was released from prison in 2002 after serving 23 years.
His release was met with criticism from Lorraine Holt’s father, Jim Holt, who expressed his outrage and grief, stating that the decision to free Chafer had “destroyed a family.” Holt also publicly condemned the parole process, emphasizing the ongoing pain caused by Chafer’s freedom.
Chafer’s criminal record did not end there.
In 2013, he was sentenced to an additional prison term for arson after he set fire to his flat in Peterborough, risking the lives of other residents.
He was released again in 2017, but his criminal activities continued to cast a shadow over his release.
Most recently, in June of the previous year, Chafer, now 57 and living under the name Stephen Leonard, was involved in a violent attack on Faye Mills, a 60-year-old woman suffering from dementia, at her home in Peterborough.
The incident was triggered by an argument over a garden rake.
Chafer launched a frenzied knife assault, stabbing Mrs.
Mills more than 30 times and inflicting injuries so severe that police initially believed she was already dead upon arrival.
Mrs.
Mills survived the attack, but her injuries were life-changing, and her family described her recovery as “a miracle.” During the attack, Mrs.
Mills’ neighbor, Mark Patchett, who had previously served in the armed forces, intervened to help her.
He was also assaulted by Chafer, suffering a cut to his face in the process.
A statement from Mr.
Patchett described the scene as “like a house of horrors,” with blood everywhere.
For his bravery, the court awarded him £750.
Chafer was apprehended and brought to trial last month at Cambridge Crown Court.
He was found guilty of attempted murder and also of common assault on Mr.
Patchett.
During the proceedings, Chafer, who appeared under his pseudonym, explained that “a switch flicked in his head,” leading him to attack Mrs.
Mills with a knife and a blow to her head in a frenzied manner.
Judge David Farrell QC sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the danger he poses to the public, especially women.
The court heard that Chafer’s history of violence and his previous convictions make him a “serious risk” to society.
The case has reignited debate over the effectiveness of the parole system, with Lorraine Holt’s father criticizing the authorities for allowing Chafer’s release, which he believes has caused irreparable damage to his family.
The family’s pain was compounded by the fact that Lorraine was just a child playing in her garden when she was tragically taken from them.
Chafer’s criminal journey began in Derby, where he was related to Lorraine Holt through marriage.
On January 20, 1979, he was out drinking when he encountered Lorraine sitting in the snow, crying.
He gave her sweets and then took her to the vicarage grounds, where he committed his horrific acts.
After pleading guilty to her murder, he was incarcerated for many years, only to be released and continue his violent path.
His subsequent crimes included setting fire to his flat in Peterborough in 2013, and more recently, the attack on Mrs.
Mills in June 2018.
The attack was described as a “frenzied” assault involving multiple stab wounds and an attempt to decapitate her, with Chafer also attempting to stab her neighbor who tried to intervene.
The court’s verdict and sentencing reflect the gravity of his actions and the ongoing threat he poses to society.
