As BBC's Sixth Commandment gets rave reviews, police publish real-life video about the Maids Moreton murderer

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The four-part drama was based on evil Buckingham murderer Ben Field

The BBC true crime drama The Sixth Commandment ended last night and has prompted rave reviews about the portrayal of the Maids Moreton killer Ben Field.

Today (Wednesday) local police have released video footage of their version of the story, including an interview with the brother of Field’s elderly victim, Peter Farquhar.

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The video carries a warning that the content may be distressing for some viewers.

The Sixth Commandment, which is available on BBC iPlayer, tells how Field, a young former churchwarden from Olney, entered into a fake ‘betrothal’ with elderly scholar Peter Farquhar and then proceeded to twist, manipulate and drug his food and ply him with neat alcohol until he was a "shambling wreck" of his former self.

After Peter died, Field, who was in his 20s at the time, moved on to the 83-year-year-old neighbour, retired teacher Ann Moore-Martin, with whom he had a relationship.

Police became involved in the case, known as Op Naseby, after Ann’s niece raised suspicions about Field. It rapidly became one of the most extraordinary Thames Valley Police investigations in history.

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Field was jailed for 36 years in 2019 for killing Mr Farquhar. He was cleared of killing Miss Moore-Martin but admitted fraud, with the court hearing how he’d encouraged both pensioners to change their wills in his favour.

BBC drama The Sixth Commandment, about Milton Keynes murderer Ben Field, has earned rave reviews. (Picture: BBC/Wild Mercury/Amanda Searle)BBC drama The Sixth Commandment, about Milton Keynes murderer Ben Field, has earned rave reviews. (Picture: BBC/Wild Mercury/Amanda Searle)
BBC drama The Sixth Commandment, about Milton Keynes murderer Ben Field, has earned rave reviews. (Picture: BBC/Wild Mercury/Amanda Searle)

During the trial and police investigation, he showed no remorse, stating: "I’ve deceived absolutely everyone that I’ve ever had a relationship with.” When asked why he gaslighted Peter Farquhar, he replied: “To irritate him – I did it vindictively.”

Field’s twisted character was expertly played on TV by young Irish actor Éanna Hardwicke, and viewers are now calling for him to get an award.

The drama explored the mind of Field, showing the way he manipulated his victims in the harrowing saga, and the massive police investigation that followed.

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Religion played a strong part in the murder, hence the title The Sixth Commandment, which states ‘Thou shalt not kill’.

Timothy Spall played Peter Farquhar expertly while Anne Reid's heart-wrenching' performance as Ann Moore-Martin left many viewers in tears.