← Back to England casesPeter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin Injured in Alleged Murder Attempt by Benjamin Field, Martin Smith, and others, Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire, England
Case Summary
Peter Farquhar, a 69-year-old retired teacher, and Ann Moore-Martin, an 83-year-old retired headmistress, both residents of Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire, died under suspicious circumstances after forming relationships with Benjamin Field, a man in his late 20s. Field, who presented himself as a devout churchgoer, allegedly manipulated and exploited both elderly individuals for financial gain, coercing them to change their wills in his favor. Peter Farquhar died in 2015, initially ruled accidental due to alcohol intoxication, but later exhumed revealing sedatives and possible smothering. Ann Moore-Martin died of natural causes in 2017 after falling ill, with police suspecting Field's involvement in coercion and attempted murder. Field and two others were arrested and charged with murder, conspiracy to murder, fraud, and burglary. The case revealed patterns of psychological manipulation, gaslighting, and financial exploitation within intimate relationships.
Basic Information
Country: England
State/Province: None
City/Region: Maids Moreton
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Live-in relationship
Relationship Duration: Approximately 4 years (relationship with Peter Farquhar)
Affair / New-Partner Context
Recorded context: Desire to replace or leave current partner
Reported initiator: Alleged suspect / offender
Relationship timing: During separation
Incident Date: Oct. 26, 2015
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Friends circle
Relationship Stages:
- Dating
- Engaged
- Living Together without Marriage
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Cheating / Infidelity
- Financial Issues
- Domestic Conflict
- Family pressure
- Suspicion of infidelity
Red Flags:
- Secretive communication patterns
- False accusations of infidelity
- Blame shifting or gaslighting behavior
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Secret affair
- Manipulative behavior
- Secret phone communication
- Hiding Chat
- Threats
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
Motives:
- Money / Financial Gain
- Revenge
- Control/domination
Relationship Outcomes:
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Investigation still ongoing
- Deadbody recovery
People Link Graph
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Friends circle
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Live-in relationship
Approximately 4 years (relationship with Peter Farquhar)
Stages
- Dating
- Engaged
- Living Together without Marriage
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Secretive communication patterns
- False accusations of infidelity
- Blame shifting or gaslighting behavior
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Secret affair
- Manipulative behavior
- Secret phone communication
- Hiding Chat
- Threats
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Cheating / Infidelity
- Financial Issues
- Domestic Conflict
- Family pressure
- Suspicion of infidelity
- Money / Financial Gain
- Revenge
- Control/domination
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
2015-10-26
Outcome
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Investigation still ongoing
- Deadbody recovery
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
Sources
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin Injured in Alleged Murder Attempt by Benjamin Field, Martin Smith, and others, Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire, England
They Walk Among Us | UK True Crime · Original language: English
View original title
The Chilling Case of Benjamin Field | Part 1
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Romantic Triangle
Pattern Analysis
Benjamin Field exploited his relationships with two elderly neighbors, using psychological manipulation, gaslighting, and financial coercion to gain control and financial benefits. The pattern involved befriending vulnerable individuals, inducing them to change their wills, and allegedly causing their deaths to inherit their estates.
Investigative Notes
Operation Naseby led to the arrest of Benjamin Field and two others on charges including murder, conspiracy to murder, fraud, and burglary. Peter Farquhar's body was exhumed revealing sedatives and possible smothering. Ann Moore-Martin's niece reported suspicions leading to police involvement. The trial began in 2019 with Field admitting conspiracy to commit fraud but denying murder charges. Evidence included diaries, correspondence, and forensic findings.
Investigation Confusion
Initial rulings considered Peter Farquhar's death accidental due to alcohol intoxication. Later forensic analysis and exhumation revealed sedatives and possible smothering, shifting the investigation to murder. The involvement of multiple suspects and the complex manipulation tactics created challenges in establishing clear timelines and motives.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
Benjamin Field met Peter Farquhar in 2011, developing a relationship culminating in a betrothal in 2014. Over 18 months, Peter's health deteriorated under suspicious circumstances involving sedatives and alcohol. Field inherited property and cash from Peter. Before Peter's death, Field began a relationship with Ann Moore-Martin, coercing her to change her will and provide financial support under false pretenses. Ann's health declined, and she died in 2017. Police investigation linked the deaths, leading to arrests and charges against Field and associates.
Risk Assessment
High risk due to manipulation of vulnerable elderly individuals, use of sedatives and alcohol to incapacitate victims, and financial exploitation combined with coercive control and psychological abuse.
Key Takeaways
The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to psychological manipulation and financial exploitation within intimate relationships. Early signs include sudden health decline, unexplained financial transactions, and isolation from family. The use of religious faith as a manipulation tool and the pattern of befriending multiple victims for financial gain are critical warning signs.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
Peter Farquhar's rapid health decline, confusion, bruising, and night terrors; Ann Moore-Martin's withdrawal, unexplained financial gifts, and religious messages on mirrors.
Which clues helped connect the case?
Journals and diaries documenting manipulation; changes in wills; correspondence revealing coercion; forensic evidence of sedatives; police interviews and witness statements.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
Forensic toxicology from exhumed body; diaries and computer notes by Benjamin Field; correspondence between victims and Field; witness statements from family and neighbors; police call recordings.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
Neighbors described Peter as a gentleman who declined rapidly after taking in Field; Ann's niece reported suspicions and betrayal; police received statements about suspicious vehicles and activities; family and friends expressed shock and heartbreak.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Initial death rulings were accidental; later forensic analysis and police investigations reclassified deaths as suspicious and led to murder charges. Arrests and trials revealed deeper manipulation and conspiracy.
What remained unclear?
Full extent of involvement of co-accused men; precise sequence and method of murders; motivations beyond financial gain; whether all planned murders were attempted or completed.