BB FANS

Jury out in prostitute 'strangler' trial

The jury hearing the trial of a former pub landlord accused of murdering five prostitutes is expected to retire later today.

Judge Mr Justice Gross resumed summing up the evidence in the case against Steve Wright at Ipswich Crown Court, Wright, 49, of London Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, denies murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paul Clennell, 24 and Annette Nicholls, 29.

The naked corpses of the five women were found in remote locations around Ipswich over 10 days in December 2006.
The six-week trial has heard that two of the bodies were arranged with their arms outstretched in a crucifix pose.

Forensic analysis revealed Wright's DNA on three of the women and fibres linking him to all five, the court was told.

Wright admits frequenting prostitutes in Ipswich and having sex with four of the victims, but insists he did not kill them.

The judge resumed his summing up today by taking the jury through Wright's evidence in the trial.

Metro

'He was one of the regulars. We didn't suspect him. But he was the killer'

Steve Wright, 49, was found guilty yesterday of murdering five sex workers. After the fifth body was found, he picked up Tracey Russell. Here she speaks about her lucky escape

Tracey Russell has several reasons to consider herself lucky, but one stands out. Around December 14 2006, after the bodies of five of her fellow sex workers had been found but before anyone had been arrested, she agreed to have sex with their killer.

Tracey and her best friend Annette Nicholls had agreed, after the first women went missing, only to go with regulars, but Steve Wright was someone they both knew well; Tracey had had sex with him several times in the three years he had been using Ipswich prostitutes - not a matter of weeks, as he testified in court.

On that occasion, however, she did not. Having gone back to his flat at 79 London Road and agreed the fee, she had prepared to have sex on his bed, but they were disturbed by a bang on the door or from a car outside, and he told her to get out.

Tracey, who is 31, spoke to the Guardian in December under a pseudonym, but as the end of the trial approached she agreed to speak more openly about Annette and the four other women, all of whom she knew, and about the man who killed them. The women knew Wright as just another punter, she said. "Annette went with him a couple of times, I knew that, I did, and I know a few of the other girls did.

"We were worried, but when you are on drugs, you think if you can open a car door ... you would know that it was the murderer. Me and Annette said don't get in cars with anyone we don't know, just get in cars with regulars, and that's what we did. But it was a regular that ended up being the [killer].

"He was always a late person to come out, he would drive round a couple of times, then choose the girl he wanted. We used to call them 'window-lickers' if they went around a lot. He was one of them. We didn't suspect him."

Annette, she says, had worked only infrequently until a few months before her death, when her heroin and crack addiction became more desperate. "She just got more depressed and the crack got hold of her."

Their life, she said, was "horrible". "You learn to blank it out over the years, and because you are on drugs, [you] just think of something else. I know that sounds odd, but you do. 'Cos you get used to it, and it's over within seconds. Hopefully."

Shortly after Annette was confirmed dead, and with the help of a methadone prescription, Tracey stopped selling sex and using heroin, after six years on the game.

She is not alone. Of the 30 sex workers who were known to be working the Ipswich beat before the murders - some regulars, some working more erratically - only two are still working. Of the rest, 16 are in daily contact with drugs workers, seven needing less immediate support.

For the past 14 months the quiet success of those working to help women off the streets of Ipswich has continued.

Brian Tobin, director of Iceni, the small drugs charity that has spearheaded the effort, working with all the sex workers in Ipswich, describes the set of circumstances in the town as "pretty unique", acknowledging that the killings themselves - one sixth of the town's prostitutes were murdered - were critical in persuading the women and the relevant agencies to work together.

"We have to recognise that prior to the murders there were scant resources put into this area. I have worked in drugs for 16 years and I think [sex workers] are the most difficult and damaged clientele I have ever worked with. That needs resources."

All the same, the women have been helped into new circumstances with a relatively small amount of money - less than £30,000 in grants and donations, which the centre has used to meet their daily bills.

The support of Suffolk police in arresting kerb crawlers and supporting the women, and of Ipswich borough council in part-funding a sex liaison officer has also been key.

"It ain't rocket science," says Tobin. "We phone them every day. If a woman goes missing for 24 hours we keep on the case until we find them. I think for the first time in their lives someone genuinely cares for them, because they certainly don't."

He sees no reason why Ipswich's success couldn't be replicated elsewhere, though resources, and intense effort, are critical.

"Our hardest part is yet to come. Now we have got to sustain this. We are now getting to the root of the problem, which was hidden by drugs."

For Tracey, clean for a year, the conclusion of the trial is a relief. "Because I was on drugs at the time, you don't feel a lot, but now that I'm off the drugs and I'm on the methadone, everything's coming at once. It's a bit hard to ... you know. It's all been quick, what's happened. So I haven't really had time to grieve over her. It's hard."

As for escaping Wright, she says: "I feel like my life's been saved in a way, because it could have been me that's dead now. It makes me feel a bit of relief, but guilty, because I got away. I feel a little bit guilty because Annette's dead, and I got away."
guardian

Suffolk Strangler guilty of murdering five prostitutes - but did he also kill Suzy Lamplugh? Mail

The ex-wife's story: My violent life with the Suffolk strangler- and his flirtation on the QE2 with Suzy Lamplugh Mail

DNA trapped Suffolk Strangler Sun

Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright's ex-wife Diane Cole tells all
Suffolk Strangler wife TELLS ALL WORLD EXCLUSIVE



Is Steve Wright Mr Kipper in Suzy Lamplugh murder case?

Steve Wright beat and abused his ex-wife Diane Cole


The ex-wife of Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright told yesterday of her years of hell with the man she branded a monster.

Diane Cole, 53, described the vicious beatings, abuse and mental torture she endured at his hands and added: "I knew how bad he was but never knew he was capable of this evil. He turned into a monster."

Forklift truck driver Wright, 49, faces life in jail after being convicted of murdering five prostitutes in Ipswich.

But after yesterday's verdict, Isabella Clennell, the mother of 24-year-old victim Paula, said: "I wish we still had the death penalty as this what he truly deserves."
Diane also revealed she thought Wright could have murdered missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh.

The pair worked together on the QE2 and he was on shore leave when Suzy vanished in 1986. Wright, 49, showed no emotion as he stood in the dock and was found guilty of strangling Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

The jury of nine men and three women took just five hours and 45 minutes to reach their verdict after a six-week trial at Ipswich crown court.

Relatives of the victims' families in the public gallery gasped and whispered "Yes" as the first verdict, relating to Tania, was announced. Several burst into tears as the other verdicts followed. Paula's sister Alice Bradshaw wept on the shoulder of her partner then turned to Wright's brother David and mouthed "Sorry". Two other relatives said afterwards Wright deserved to die. In a statement, Tania's aunt Donna, said: "These crimes deserve the ultimate punishment and that can only mean one thing.

"Tania and the other victims were given no human rights by this monster but he'll be guarded by the establishment at great cost to the taxpayers and emotionally to the bereaved families."

Paula's devastated dad Brian Clennell, 58, said he was prepared to shoot Wright.

He added: "What pains me is the swine who use these girls when they are desperate for money. They gets them in a car and makes them perform. They deserve to be shot. Wright deserves everything coming to him. I would shoot him myself."

Wright was convicted after his DNA, on record following a theft conviction, was found on the naked bodies of the three woman dumped on dry land, Anneli, Annette and Paula.

Blood from Annette and Paula was found on a yellow reflective jacket at his home. Police also recovered 177 clothing or textile fibres from the five victims which matched those from Wright's home, Ford Mondeo car or clothes.

The killings came during a 40-day reign of terror in the red light district of Ipswich. All the women killed were heroin or cocaine addicts who had resorted to prostitution to fund their habits.

Judge Mr Justice Gross will sentence Wright today. He faces a 30-year term or a whole life tariff.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull, the officer who led the investigation, said it may forever remain a mystery about why and where Wright murdered his five victims.

Mr Gull said: "Unless Steve Wright chooses to tell us we can only speculate."

CASE FROM DAY 1

2006

Oct 30: Prostitute Tania Nicol, 19, goes missing.

Nov 7: Her mother Kerry begs the public for information.

Nov 15: Prostitute Gemma Adams, 25, vanishes.

Nov 19: Photos of both women are distributed at Ipswich Town's Portman Road ground at a derby against Norwich.

Dec 2: Body found in brook at Hintlesham, Suffolk.

Dec 3: It is identified as Gemma.

Dec 4: Police launch a murder inquiry. Teams comb the area where Gemma's naked body was found.

Dec 8: Second naked body found by police divers near Copdock Mill.

Dec 9: It is confirmed as Tania. Detectives say there are obvious similarities between the two deaths.

Dec 10: Third dead prostitute found in woodland near Nacton, sparking fears of serial killer. It is a woman in her 20s.

Dec 11: Fears mount for missing street girls Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29. Police warn prostitutes to stay off the streets for their own safety. They describe the discovery of the third body as a "deeply disturbing development".

Dec 12: Two more bodies found near the village of Levington. Detectives release the name of the third victim, Anneli Alderton, 24. She was strangled.

Dec 13: Calls to the investigation hotline peak at 3,094 in one day. It emerges Paula gave interview to ITV and said despite the dangers she would still risk street work.

Dec 14: Police examine clothing handed in by members of the public. They have received 5,500 calls and 1,000 emails. The fourth body is confirmed as Paula.

Dec 15: Fifth body is confirmed as Annette. Devastated friends pack a candlelit service at St Peter's Church, Copdock, near where Tania and Gemma were found.

Dec 16: CCTV of Anneli on a train before she disappeared is released. A minute's silence is held at the Portman Road stadium ahead of Ipswich's match against Leeds.

Dec 17: Police talk to passengers at railway stations used by Anneli a week before her body was found.

Dec 18: Tesco worker Tom Stephens, 38, is arrested at his home in Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe.

Dec 19: Steve Wright is arrested in a 5am raid on his maisonette in the Ipswich red light district.

Dec 20: Inquests into the deaths of four women are opened and adjourned at Ipswich coroner's court.

Dec 21: Wright is charged with five murders. Stephens is released without charge.

Dec 22: Wright appears before Ipswich magistrates court and is remanded in custody.

2007

Feb 6: A hearse carries a wreath spelling out "friend" at Annette's funeral in Ipswich.

Feb 8: Paula's funeral is held in her home town of Berwick, Northumberland.

Feb 12: Tania's funeral in Ipswich is a private ceremony.

Feb 15: Gemma's service near Ipswich sees launch of a charity in her name to raise cash for a children's hospice.

Feb 23: Dozens of mourners attend Anneli's Ipswich funeral.

March 21: Wright pleads not guilty at Ipswich crown court.

2008

Jan 14: Wright's trial begins.

Yesterday: Wright convicted of all five murders.
Mirror

Suffolk serial killer Steve Wright jailed for life

Steve Wright will spend the rest of his life in jail for killing five women in Suffolk in what prosecutors described as a six-week "campaign of murder".

Judge Mr Justice Gross, at Ipswich crown court, ruled that Wright, a 49-year-old former forklift truck driver, should serve a whole life term and never be released.

The murders of the women, all of whom worked as prostitutes in Ipswich, terrified the town and led to one of the country's biggest police investigations.

"It is right you should spend your whole life in prison," the judge said. "This was a targeted campaign of murder."

He told Wright a life sentence was mandatory, but that he had to decide whether or not he should be eligible for parole.

"I must pass a sentence which meets the justice of the case," he added. "In my judgment, upon reflection it must be a whole life term."

The judge said the case met the legal requirements for a whole life sentence because the murders involved a "substantial degree of premeditation and planning".

He pointed to the "macabre" way in which Wright had arranged two of the women's bodies in a crucifix form.

He said Wright had targeted vulnerable women. "Drugs and prostitution meant they were at risk. But neither drugs nor prostitution killed them. You did," he added.

"You killed them, stripped them and left them ... why you did it may never be known."

As Gross said he should serve a "whole life" jail term, Wright stared ahead. As he was led away to begin his sentence, he made no eye contact with anyone else in court.

There was no reaction from the relatives of the murder victims, who witnessed proceedings from the public gallery.

Wright's brother, David, and sister, Jeanette, sobbed throughout. They left the court hand in hand without making any comment.

Following the sentencing, Wright's solicitor, Mark Haslam, said the defence team would be considering whether there were grounds for an appeal.

The deputy chief constable of Suffolk, Jacqui Cheer, said of the sentence: "At the start of the inquiry we could not have asked for anything more.

"It is a tribute to all the people who have been involved - not only police officers but their support teams and all the members of the public who phoned in offering information.

"I've never been in the position of the families. I cannot imagine what it is like. We can only hope this brings some closure for them."

A crowd of around 30 people looked on as Wright was driven away to London, and there were shouts of "scum''.

Sources said he would be taken to Belmarsh prison, in south-east London, where he would undergo routine psychiatric assessments and be placed on suicide watch.

It is believed he will serve his sentence at a high-security prison - possibly Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, or Whitemoor, near March, Cambridgeshire.

The jury yesterday took fewer than six hours to find Wright responsible for the murders.

Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, 24-year-old Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell, also 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, were all drug addicts who were working as prostitutes when they were picked up and murdered by Wright, a regular customer who lived in the red light district and whom several of them knew well.

Their naked bodies were found dumped around the town - two in a stream and the other three in woods - over a 10-day period in December 2006.

Speaking after the verdicts yesterday, the families of Nicol and Clennell called for the death penalty to be reintroduced.

"While five young lives have been cruelly ended, the person responsible will be kept warm, nourished and protected," the Nicol family said in a statement. "In no way has justice been done. These crimes deserve the ultimate punishment."

Robert Sadd, the crown advocate for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in Suffolk, said the conviction had been "based on science".

Wright was identified because his DNA had been added to the national database following an earlier conviction for theft. His profile was stored in 2003 after he was convicted of stealing £40 while working as a hotel barman.

New techniques allowing microscopic fibres to be identified also proved critical - a single black nylon fibre from the footwell of Wright's car was found in Nicol's hair, despite the fact her body had lain in water for five weeks before it was discovered.

Wright's DNA was found on three of the women's bodies, while microscopic fibres from his clothing, car and home were discovered on all five.

Blood belonging to two of the women was found on his reflective jacket, along with specks of blood in his car.

CCTV and numberplate recognition technology had also placed his car in the red light district at the time several of the women disappeared.

The court heard that Wright picked up the women while they worked in the streets around his home before killing them while they were incapacitated by heavy doses of drugs.

He argued that he had had sex with the women but had not killed them, saying it was merely coincidental that forensic evidence linked him to all five.

Although the jury's verdicts were decisive, prosecutors admitted yesterday they remained puzzled about the motive behind the killings.

Wright's only previous conviction is for minor theft, and CPS sources yesterday said they were not aware of any evidence linking him to unsolved cases.

"No doubt our police colleagues will be looking at whether this fits with anything else, but we are not aware of any other link at this stage," a source said.

A number of "cold cases", including several unsolved prostitute murders, have been examined by forces across Britain since Wright's arrest.

Yesterday, the father of the estate agent Suzy Lamplugh told the Guardian he had been contacted by Metropolitan police officers investigating possible connections between Wright and his daughter, who disappeared in 1986.

It is known that Wright and Lamplugh were acquaintances when they worked on the QE2 in the early 80s.

Cleveland police said they had not ruled out a link between Wright and the murder of Vicky Glass, a heroin addict who vanished from Middlesbrough in September 2000.

Her naked body was later found in a stream in the North York Moors.
guardian