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The Fox: Serial Attacker's Reign of Terror Ends
28 Feb
Summary
- Malcolm Fairley, known as 'The Fox', terrorized towns with brutal home invasions.
- He attacked couples, often violating wives before their bound partners.
- Fairley died in prison on May 28, 2024, after serving life sentences.
For months, residents of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire lived in fear due to a serial sex attacker known as 'The Fox'. Malcolm Fairley committed brutal home invasions, often targeting couples. He would break into homes in the early morning, sometimes armed with a shotgun, before carrying out his sickening acts. Fairley was known to build 'dens' in victims' homes, cooking and watching television while waiting.
The investigation to track down Fairley spanned six months and involved seven police forces. Due to the lack of modern technology like CCTV and mobile phones at the time, police relied heavily on forensic evidence. Detective Chief Superintendent Brian Prickett described the fear in the area as "incredible," with residents forced to secure their homes.
Fairley was eventually arrested in September 1984 in London and sentenced to six life terms in 1985 for his crimes. He committed 81 offences before his capture. In May 2024, at the age of 71, Fairley died of a heart attack at HMP Hull. His case highlights the lasting impact on victims, with support teams working to help those affected.
