A female inmate convicted for her role in the sadistic torture and murder of a vulnerable former soldier has died while in prison custody.
The Brutal Crime
Lisa Clarke, 53, from Aston, was one of four people found guilty over the killing of Brian Farmer, a 64-year-old ex-soldier who had served more than two decades in the British Army. The horrific incident took place in May 2012 at Mr Farmer's flat in Bakeman House, Yardley, Birmingham.
During a prolonged two-hour attack, which a judge later described as coming "very close to sadistic", the gang subjected Mr Farmer to unimaginable cruelty. He was stabbed five times and sustained 17 separate injuries to his head and neck. The perpetrators also poured boiling water over him and force-fed him drugs.
Mr Farmer, who had fallen on hard times, had reportedly invited his attackers into his home as friends.
Justice and Aftermath
Following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court in 2013, Clarke was convicted of murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years in December of that year.
Her co-defendants, Jason Andrews, then 40, and Vaughan Davies, then 18, were also convicted of murder and received sentences of 27 and 14 years respectively. Peter Knowles, then 52, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 14 years.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Farmer's family described the killing as "a cruel, senseless and barbaric act committed without remorse or feeling has left an emptiness that can never be filled".
Death in Custody and Investigation
The Prison Service has confirmed that Lisa Clarke died in hospital on October 26, 2025. She was being held at HMP Styal, a closed-category women's prison in Cheshire.
It emerged that she was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital on October 21, underwent treatment, but passed away five days later.
As her death occurred in custody, an inquest was opened at Warrington Coroner's Court. The inquest has been adjourned to allow for further investigation, with a pre-inquest review scheduled for January 29, 2026, and a full inquest set for April 27, 2026.
Furthermore, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death, which is standard procedure for deaths in prison.
