Ipswich 2006 serial murders

Infobox Serial Killer
name=Steve Wright


caption=Steve Wright was convicted of five murders on 22 February 2008
birthname=
alias=Suffolk Strangler, Ipswich Ripper
birth=24 April 1958 (aged 50)
location=Erpingham, Norfolk, UK
death=
cause=
victims= 5
country= England
states=
beginyear=November 2006
endyear= December 2006
apprehended=19 December 2006
penalty=Life imprisonment - with recommendation of a Whole life tariffThe Ipswich 2006 serial murders took place during the November and December of 2006 when the bodies of five murdered women were discovered at different locations near Ipswich, Suffolk, England. All the victims were prostitutes or sex workers from the Ipswich area. Their bodies were discovered naked, but there was no sign of sexual assault. Two of the victims, Anneli Alderton and Paula Clennell were confirmed to have been killed by asphyxiation. A cause of death for the other victims, Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol and Annette Nicholls was not established.

Suffolk police linked the killings and launched a murder investigation codenamed Operation Sumac. Due to the size of the investigation police officers were drafted in from several other constabularies. Three men were arrested in connection with the murders. The first, who was never officially named by police, was released without charge. Supermarket worker Thomas Stephens was also questioned in connection with the murders, but released without charge. A forklift truck driver, Steve Gerald James Wright, then aged 48, was arrested on suspicion of murder on 19 December 2006 and charged with the murders of all five women on 21 December.cite web | title = Man charged over Ipswich murders. | publisher = Channel 4 | date = 2006-12-22| url = http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/law_order/man+charged+over+ipswich+murders/173560| accessdate = 2008-02-27 ]

Wright was remanded in custody and his trial began on 14 January 2008 at Ipswich Crown Court. Wright pleaded not guilty to the charges, although he admitted having sex with all five victims, and that he had been using prostitutes since the 1980s. DNA and fibre evidence was presented to the court that linked Wright to the victims. He was found guilty of all five murders on 21 February 2008 and was sentenced the following day to life imprisonment with a recommendation that life should mean life, meaning that he is unlikely ever be released from prison. [Cite web| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7256402.stm| title = Wright guilty of Suffolk murders| accessdate = 2008-02-24| date = 2008-02-21| publisher = BBC News] After the trial some family members expressed their belief that Wright should be facing the death penalty. Wright is currently lodging an appeal against his five murder convictions.

The murders received a large amount of media attention both nationally and internationally and the press often compared the murders to those committed by the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe, who murdered 13 women and attacked seven others (mostly prostitutes) between 1975 and 1981. There was some concern that the level of media coverage at the time could jeopardize any future trial. The murders also sparked debates in the media over the laws surrounding prostitution.

Police investigation

The body of a young woman was discovered in the water of Belstead Brook at Thorpe's Hill, near Hintlesham, by a member of the public on December 2,2006.cite news | title = Body identified as missing woman | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-03 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6203778.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-11 ] She was later identified as 25-year-old Gemma Adams and had not been sexually assaulted.cite news | title = Body identified as missing woman | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-03 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6203778.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-11 ] cite news | title = Prostitutes' deaths inquests open | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-20 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/6195517.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-20 ] Six days later, on 8 December, the body of 19-year-old Tania Nicol, a friend of Adams, who had been missing since 30 October, was discovered in water at Copdock Mill just outside Ipswich.cite news | title = Timeline: Suffolk killings | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-20 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6171319.stm | accessdate = 2008-04-06 ] There was no evidence of sexual assault.cite news | title = Timeline: The prostitute murder probe | publisher = The Daily Mail | date = 2006-12-11 | url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=421768&in_page_id=1770 | accessdate = 2006-12-11 ] On 10 December, a third victim was found by a member of the public in an area of woodland by the A14 road near Nacton and later identified as 24-year-old Anneli Alderton. According to a police statement, she had been asphyxiated and was about three months pregnant when she died. [cite news | title = Third prostitute 'was strangled' | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6171355.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-12 ] cite news | title = Last sighting of pregnant Anneli | publisher = The Independent | date = 2006-12-17 | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/last-sighting-of-pregnant-anneli-police-release-cctv-footage-of-suffolk-victim-428855.html | accessdate = 2008-02-27 ] In a press conference police warned all women to stay away from the red light district of Ipswich. [cite news| title =Police warn prostitutes to stay off the streets | work =Paul Lewis | publisher =The Gaurdian | date =2006-12-12 | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/12/ukcrime.suffolkmurders1 ] On 12 December, Suffolk police announced that the bodies of two more women had been found.cite news | last = Naughton | first = Philippe | coauthors = Percival, Jenny | title = Two more women found dead near Ipswich | publisher = The Times | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article752095.ece | accessdate = 2008-02-27 ] On 14 December, the police confirmed one of the bodies as 24-year-old Paula Clennell. Clennell had disappeared on 10 December and was last seen in Ipswich.cite news | last = Davies | first = Caroline | title = Five bodies found in Suffolk murder hunt | publisher = The Daily Telegraph | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/12/12/userial112.xml&CMP=KNC-umknc01_ne_1_ggl_BrGB&HBX_PK=Ipswich+murder&HBX_OU=50 | accessdate = 2006-12-12 ] According to Suffolk Police, Clennell died from "compression of the throat".cite news | title = Woman found in woodland strangled | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-14 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6179265.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-14 ] On 15 December, the police confirmed that the other body was that of 29-year-old Annette Nicholls, who disappeared on 5 December.cite news | title = Fifth murdered woman identified | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-15 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/6181973.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-15 ] The bodies of Clennell and Nicholls were found in Nacton near the Levington turn-off of the A1156, close to where Alderton was found. A member of the public had seen Adams body six metres from the main road and a police helicopter dispatched to the scene discovered the second body of Nicholls nearby.
Suffolk police linked the killings and launched a murder investigation, [cite news | title = Forensic teams scour murder scene | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-13 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6173633.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-14 ] codenamed Operation Sumac. [cite news | title = Hunt extends to Europe for killer who used bare hands | work = Guardian.co.uk | publisher = The Guardian | date = 2006-12-17 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/17/suffolkmurders.anushkaasthana1 | accessdate = 2008-04-04 ] Chief Constable Alastair McWhirter acknowledged that Suffolk Constabulary would be reliant on external assistance due to the magnitude of the investigation. A senior investigator with the Metropolitan Police, Commander Dave Johnston, was reported to have been drafted into the murder inquiry team from Scotland Yard in London in an advisory capacity. [cite news | last = Stephen | first = Wright | title = Enter the Yard expert | publisher = The Daily Mail | date = 2006-12-13 | url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=422289&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source= ] The day-to-day investigation was conducted by Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull. [cite news | title = Killer 'could be losing control' | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-13 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6172499.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-15 ]

During the 13 and 14 December press conferences, DCS (Detective Chief Superintendent) Gull revealed that police believed the locations where the five bodies were found to have been 'deposition sites' not murder scenes, indicating that the victims were all killed elsewhere and transported to the locations where they were later found but did not comment on where the women may have been murdered. [cite news| title =Forensic teams search 'dump' site | work =BBC News | publisher =BBC | date =2006-13-12 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6176693.stm ] DCS Gull also revealed that some items of women's clothing and accessories, including a handbag and jacket, had been recovered and were being forensically tested to establish whether they belonged to any of the murdered women. [cite news | title = Clothes and handbag may have been found | publisher = Suffolk Evening Star | date = 2006-12-13 | url = http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/news/story.aspx?brand=ESTOnline&category=Murders&tBrand=ESTOnline&tCategory=murders&itemid=IPED13%20Dec%202006%2020%3A19%3A52%3A193 | accessdate = 2006-12-15 ]

During the course of the press briefings, DCS Gull stated that over 300 police officers were involved in the investigation, and some 400-450 calls were being received daily by detectives.cite news | title = Suffolk murder case jury sworn in | publisher = BBC | date = 2008-01-15 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7182835.stm | accessdate = 2008-05-07 ]

On 15 December, Suffolk Constabulary's website revealed that a total of 7,300 telephone calls had been made to police regarding the investigation, and that over 300 police staff and specialists were working on the cases, with support from at least 25 other police forces. [cite news | title = Prostitute deaths: 'Known suspects' | work = CNN.com | publisher = CNN | date = 2006-12-15 | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/15/uk.prostitute/index.html | accessdate = 2008-02-27 ] [cite news | title = How police closed the net on Steve Wright | work = The Guardian | publisher = guardian.co.uk | date = 2008-02-21 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/21/wright.caught | accessdate = 2008-02-29 ] As of 18 December, the number of officers involved in the investigation had increased to 650 including 350 officers from 40 other police forces who had assisted in the inquiry, which involved detectives trawling through 10,000 hours of CCTV footage.Fact|date=April 2008 The number of calls received regarding the case had also increased to around 10,000. [cite news | title = Reconstruction to aid murder hunt | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-18 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6188755.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-18 ]

Victims

Gemma Adams

Gemma Adams aged 25, born in Kesgrave and living in Ipswich, disappeared on 15 November at about 01.15 (UTC), being last seen outside a BMW dealership on West End Road in Ipswich.cite news | title = Photo bid to find missing women | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-11-18 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6160740.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-11 ] cite news| title =Gemma Adams | work =Gaurdian.co.uk | publisher =Gaurdian | date =12-13-06 | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/13/suffolkmurders5 ] She was reported missing the same day by her partner, Jon Simpson, with whom she had been for ten years. Her body was found on 2 December, in a river at Hintlesham; she was the first of the victims to be found. Adams was found naked, in a brook, but had not been sexually assaulted. As a child, Adams had been a popular girl, she came from a middle class family and had a love of animals; as a teenager she started taking hard drugs, becoming addicted to heroin.cite news | title = Ipswich prostitute murders: the victims | work = Telegraph | publisher = Telegraph.co.uk | date = 2008-02-21 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/21/nsuffolk1021.xml | accessdate = 2008-02-23 ] She had been working as a prostitute to cover the cost of her drug addiction, which had already led to her being dismissed from her job with an insurance firm. [cite news | title = She will always be our beautiful girl. She was not just a prostitute | work = Telegraph | publisher = Telegraph.co.uk | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/12/11/ngemma11.xml | accessdate = 2008-02-23 ] Her partner Simpson was at the time also a heroin user, and was aware she was working as a prostitute though her family were not.

Tania Nicol

Tania Nicol, aged 19, from Ipswich, disappeared on 30 October and was reported missing by her mother 48 hours later, the first of the victims to be reported missing.cite news | title = Women murdered in Suffolk | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-16 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6171469.stm | accessdate = 2007-10-11 ] Her body was discovered on the 8 December near Copdock Mill in a river by police diverscite news| title =Tania Nicol | work =guardian.co.uk | publisher =Guardian | date =2006-12-13 | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/13/suffolkmurders ] ; there was no evidence of sexual assault and a post mortem could not establish a definite cause of death. Nicol attended Chantry High School had left home at 16 to live in a hostel, where she began to use heroin. Nicol, the youngest of the five victims, worked as a prostitute to fund her addiction to heroin and cocaine. She had originally worked in massage parlours, using the alias of Chantelle in one [cite news| title= Suffolk victim 'hid prostitution' | work = BBC news| publisher = BBC| date = 2008-01-22| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7201938.stm] , but was asked to leave on suspicion that she was using drugs. Her mother was unaware she was a prostitute, and thought she had been working in a bar or a hairdressers.

Annette Nicholls

Annette Nicholls, aged 29, a mother of one from Ipswich, was initially thought to have gone missing on 4 December but at the trial it was revealed she was last seen in Ipswich town centre on 8 December. Her family reported her missing after they grew concerned at the news of the other murders. Nicholls' body was found on 12 December near Levington, naked but not sexually assaulted, and posed in the cruciform position; a definite cause of death could not be established but her breathing had been hampered. Nicholls, the oldest victim, had been a drug addict since the early 2000s, shortly after completing a beautician's course at Suffolk College.cite news| title =Victim 5: Annette Nicholls: 'Overnight, she got into heroin and it changed her' | work =Ian Herbert | publisher =The Independent | date =2006-12-13 | url =http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/victim-5-annette-nicholls-overnight-she-got-into-heroin-and-it-changed-her-428256.html ] Soon afterwards, she had started working as a prostitute to fund her addiction. After moving to a housing association home from her council house, Nicholls asked her mother, Rosemary, to look after her son, Farron. She was thought to be staying with a man in Ipswich at the time of her death.

Anneli Alderton

Anneli Alderton, aged 24, a mother of one who was also in the early stages of pregnancy, had been living in Colchester, Essex. Alderton disappeared on 3 December and was last seen on the 17.53 train from Harwich to Manningtree. [cite news| title =Anneli Alderton | work =gaudian.co.uk | publisher =The Guardian | date =2006-12-13 | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/13/suffolkmurders1 ] Alderton got off the train at Manningtree at 18.15 before going on to Ipswich via another train, arriving at 18.43. Alderton's body was found on 10 December near Nacton, in woodland in front of Amberfield School. Alderton had been asphyxiated and was found naked, and also posed in the cruciform position. Her pregnancy was also reveleaed by the autopsy and her family were first informed of it by police officers. [cite news| title =Hunt for clues in last film of Suffolk killer's pregnant victim
work =Adam Lusher | publisher =The Telegraph | date =2006-12-17 | url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1537127/Hunt-for-clues-in-last-film-of-Suffolk-killer%27s-pregnant-victim.html ] Anneli moved to Cyprus with her mother, Maire Alderton, in 1992 after Maire separared from Anneli's father and they returned to Ipswich in 1997. [cite news| title =Murdered woman 'spiralled down' | work = BBC news | publisher = BBC| date = 2008-01-28| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7204261.stm] Alderton attended Copleston High School and gained good grades in her exams. [cite news| title =Victim 3: Anneli Alderton: Her life was chaotic - her death, tragic | work =Terry Kirby | publisher =The Independent | date =2006-12-13 | url =http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/victim-3-anneli-alderton-her-life-was-chaotic--her-death-tragic-428254.html ] Alderton had been addicted to drugs since shortly after her father's death from lung cancer in 1998 when she was 16.

Paula Clennell

Paula Clennell, aged 24, mother of three children, born in Northumberland and living in Ipswich, disappeared on 10 December in Ipswich at approximately 00.20. Clennell's body was found on 12 December near Levington on the same day as Nicholls'. Clennell was found naked but not sexually assaulted and a post mortem reported that she had been killed by a compression of her throat. Prior to her death Clennell commented on the then recent murders in an interview with Anglia News, stating that despite them making her "a bit wary about getting into cars" she continued to work as "I need the money." [cite news | title = Feared victim: I must work, I need the money | publisher = CNN | date = 2006-12-13 | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/13/uk.clennell/index.html | accessdate = 2008-02-21 ] Clennell moved to East Anglia ten years before her death following the break-up of her parents' marriage.cite news| title =Victim 4: Paula Clennell: 'It was the only way to fund her addiction' | work =Maxine Frith | publisher =The Independent | date =2006-12-13 | url =http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/victim-4-paula-clennell-it-was-the-only-way-to-fund-her-addiction-428255.html ] Clennell had three children with Elton Norris; all were taken into care and adopted due to her drug addiction. Clennell herself had spent some of her childhood in a referral unit, and it was shortly after being placed there that she started taking drugs.

Arrest of suspects

18 December 2006 Suffolk Constabulary reported that they had arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of murdering all five women. The man was arrested at 07.20 at a house in Trimley St. Martin near Felixstowe, Suffolk.cite news | title = Man held over prostitute murders | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-18 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6189409.stm] The detention of the suspect was extended by magistrates by a further period of 24 hours to the maximum of 96 hours allowed under English law. [cite news | title = Police get extra time to quiz murder suspect | publisher = Reuters | date = 2006-12-19 | url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKL1920792320061219 | accessdate = 2008-02-27 ] On 19 December, at 05.00, police arrested a second suspect,cite news | title = Second man held in murders probe | publisher = BBC News | date = 2006-12-19 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6192085.stm] a 48-year-old, at a residence in Ipswich on suspicion of committing murder.The following day, 20 December, police were granted a 36-hour extension to question the second suspect in detention. On the 21 December a joint statement was issued by DCS Gull, and Michael Crimp, senior prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in Suffolk, announcing that the second suspect named as Steve Wright had been charged with the murder of all five women.Fact|date=April 2008 Police said that the first suspect, who was not officially named, was released on police bail. [cite news | title = Man charged with Suffolk murders | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-21 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6194351.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-21 ] Bail conditions were cancelled on 6 June 2007 for the first suspect, as no more inquiries concerning the case were planned involving this person. [cite news | title = No charges over prostitute deaths | publisher = BBC News | date = 2007-06-07 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6729723.stm ]

Court appearances

Wright appeared before magistrates in Ipswich on 22 December 2006 and was remanded in custody.cite news | title = Man remanded over Suffolk murders | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-21 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6202691.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-21 ] On 2 January 2007 Wright appeared before Ipswich Crown Court and was remanded in custody to appear before a court on 1 May. [cite news| title =Man accused in Ipswich killings makes brief court appearance | work =CBC news | publisher =CBC | date =2007-01-02 | url =http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/01/02/ipswich-court.html ] At the 1 May appearance Wright formally entered a plea of not guilty [cite news| title =Accused in British prostitute murders pleads not guilty | work =CBC news | publisher =CBC | date =2007-05-01 | url =http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/05/01/ipswich-murders-wright.html] . In July 2007 Wright appeared at a pre-trial hearing in London where it was announced the trial would begin 14 January, 2008. [cite news| title=Suffolk killings trial date set | work=BBC news| publisher= BBC| date=2007-07-16| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6277126.stm]

On 14 January 2008, Wright appeared at Ipswich Crown Court ahead of his trial, which began on 16 January, with the prosecution opening their case.cite news| title =Weekly summary of Suffolk murder trial | work =BBC news | publisher =BBC | date =2008-02-23 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7199995.stm ] This was the first time specific details were released to the public. These included the bodies of two of the victims, Anneli Alderton and Annette Nicholls, being deliberately posed in the cruciform position, DNA evidence linking Steve Wright to three of the victims and fibre evidence also connecting him to the victims.cite news | title = Ipswich murders: DNA link to Steve Wright | work = The Daily Telegraph | publisher = | date = 2008-01-17 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01/17/nipswich317.xml | accessdate = ] The defence argued that Wright was a frequenter of prostitutes, and he had "full sex" with all of the victims, barring Tania Nichols, whom he "picked up" with the intention of sexual relations, but apparently changed his mind and dropped her off back in the red light district of Ipswich. [cite news| title =Accused admits sex with victims | work =Karen McVeigh | publisher = The Guardian| date =2008-02-08 | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/08/ukcrime.uknews4 ] This contradicts Wright's earlier statement when stopped by police in the district in the early hours of the morning, when he gave the police the impression he was unaware he was in the red light district and that he was driving around because he could not sleep. [cite news| title =Prostitute killer 'slipped through police's grasp' | work =Gordon Rayner and Nick Allen | publisher =Daily Telegraph | date =2008-01-17 | url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01/16/nipswich216.xml ] Wright's rented flat is located in the red light area. [cite news | title = Girlfriend insists new suspect is innocent as forensic teams search their home | publisher = The Guardian | date = 2006-12-20 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/20/suffolkmurders.estheraddley?gusrc=rss&feed=fromtheguardian | accessdate =2008-04-07]

On the 21 January, jurors were taken to sites involved in the case. These included Wright's rented house, which they viewed only from the outside, and the areas where the victims were found.

During the trial the prosecutor, Peter Wright QC, suggested that Steve Wright may not have acted alone, as the remains of Anneli Alderton were found some distance from the road but with no evidence that her body had been dragged by one person.cite news| title = Steve Wright has been convicted of murdering five women in Ipswich. But was he acting alone? | publisher = BBC news| date = 2008-02-21 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7247650.stm| accessdate =2008-02-27]

Jury

The jury in the trial was the second group chosen for the task, as a member of the original jury had a health issue which would have been prohibitive for the trial.The sentencing jury consisted of nine men and three women. [cite news| title =Prostitute Murders Trial Begins | work =Sky News | publisher =Sky News | date =2008-01-16 | url =http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1300814,00.html ] All potential jurors had to complete a questionnaire, which asked if the candidates knew any of the victims, witnesses, or the suspect. [cite web | title = Ipswich Killings trial | publisher = Evening Star 24 | date = 2008-02-23 | url = http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/ipswichkillings/people.aspx?person=Jury | accessdate = 2008-02-23] The judge told jurors that they should not do their own research or obtain information from the media on the case. [cite news| title=Jury Sworn In For Suffolk Murders Trial| work=Sky news| publisher =Sky| date = 2008-01-14| url = http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1300460,00.html] When it came time to sum up the evidence in the case, Mr. Justice Gross asked the jury to put aside their emotions stating:

Verdict

On 21 February 2008, after eight hours of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict against Steve Wright on all five counts of murder. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7256402.stm Wright guilty of Suffolk murders] BBC News] Sentencing took place at 10:30 a.m. on 22 February. He was found guilty of murder, which carries an automatic term of life imprisonment, but in such cases the judge recommends a minimum number of years the offender should serve before parole can be considered.Fact|date=April 2008 The Prosecution QC demanded that life should mean life for Wright and he should never be released from prison.Fact|date=April 2008 Subsequently, on 22 February 2008, Wright was sentenced to life imprisonment and Mr Justice Gross recommended that life should mean life, on the basis that the murders resulted from a "substantial degree of pre-meditation and planning".cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7258115.stm|title=Suffolk killer will die in prison|publisher=BBC News|date=22 February 2008]

After the verdict was passed, relatives of the victims thanked the police for their efforts to solve the crime and some of them also expressed their feelings that life imprisonment was not enough (even if Wright did ultimately end his life behind bars), and that he should face the death penalty.cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1305048,00.html|title=Ipswich Killer Should Face Death Penalty|publisher=Sky News|date=21 February 2008] Craig Bradshaw stated:However, other family members seemed satisfied with the verdict. The father of Gemma Adams said:

cquote|I am very relieved and pleased for all of the families that this is now over and we can now start to get on with our lives.

Prime minister Gordon Brown praised the "professionalism and dedication" of the police and prosecutors involved in the case, whilst using it as an example of what he believed to be the importance of the national DNA database.cite news|url=http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/ipswichkillings/story.aspx?brand=ESTOnline&category=Murders&tBrand=ESTOnline&tCategory=murders&itemid=IPED27%20Feb%202008%2014%3A53%3A24%3A610|title=Prime Minister praises Wright police|publisher=Evening Star|date=29 February 2008]

teve Wright biography

Steve Gerald James Wright was born in the Norfolk village of Erpingham in April 1958.cite news | title = My anger is buried deep inside | work = Guardian.co.uk | publisher = guardian.co.uk | date = 2008-02-21 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/21/suffolkmurders.ukcrime1 | accessdate = 2008-02-23 ] cite news | title = Ipswich Killings Trials | work = EADT24 | publisher = East Anglian Daily Times | date = 2008-02-25 | url = http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/ipswichkillings/people.aspx?person=SteveWright
accessdate = 2008-02-25 ] Wright joined the Merchant Navy after leaving school. In 1979, he married and had a son soon afterwards. His marriage broke up in 1987 and from then he worked as a dock worker, a steward on the QE2, a lorry driver, a barman, and just prior to his arrest, a fork-lift truck driver. He became a father again with another partner in 1992. Wright built up large debts largely through gambling, and had recently been declared bankrupt. Wright had twice tried to commit suicide firstly by carbon monoxide poisoning and then, in 2000, by an overdose of pills. Wright met his last partner Pamela Wright (the shared surname is a coincidence) in 2001 in Felixstowe, and they moved to the house in Ipswich together in 2004.. Wright had always admitted that he had used prostitutes, firstly whilst in the Merchant Navy, and continuously throughout his life.

Investigations into other crimes Wright might have committed continue, including the possibility of an involvement in the Suzy Lamplugh disappearance.cite news | last = Batty | first = Dave | coauthors = and agencies | title = Police investigate 'link' between Wright and Suzy Lamplugh | work = The Guardian | publisher = Guardian Media Group | date = 2008-02-22 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/22/suffolkmurders.law | accessdate = 2008-02-22 ] However Metropolitan Police have stated that this is not a strong line of enquiry. [cite news | last = | first = | coauthors = | title = Wright 'not linked to Suzy death' | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2008-05-14 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7401250.stm | accessdate = 2008-05-14 ]

Media coverage

Before the bodies started being recovered, coverage was mostly confined to the local media. The national BBC news began to report the investigation following the discovery of the body of Tania Nicol, and after the discovery of the body of Anneli Alderton, the story started getting major exposure on a national and international level.

Though never officially named by the police, the media named the first suspect arrested in connection to the killings as Tom Stephens. The BBC and the Daily Mirror both released interviews with Stephens given before his arrest, something the BBC were criticised for in case it should affect any future trial.cite news| title = Criticism over suspect interview | work = BBC News| publisher = BBC| date = 2006-12-19 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6191983.stm| accessdate = 2008-02-25 ] Images of Stephens were also used in many media articles, and taken from his MySpace page. [cite news| title = MySpace profile details life of Tom Stephens | work = Guardian.co.uk| publisher = Guardian| date = 2006-12-18 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/18/suffolkmurders.markoliver| accessdate = 2008-02-25 ]

The murders have been likened to those by Peter Sutcliffe, the "Yorkshire Ripper" who was convicted of murdering 13 women (and wounding seven others), mainly those who worked as prostitutes, over a period of five years from 1975 to 1980 in northern England; [cite news | last = Horsnell | first = Michael | coauthors = O'Neill, Sean | title = Another Yorkshire Ripper feared | publisher = date = 2006-12-13 (Australian Date) | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20919297-2703,00.html | accessdate = 2006-12-12] and to "Jack the Ripper", the infamous Victorian serial murderer who also targeted prostitutes. [cite news | title = World papers talk of 'new ripper' | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-13 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6176087.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-13 ]

As with previous serial killers dating back to Jack the Ripper, many sections of the media have attempted to coin a name for the presumed murderer, using the "Suffolk Strangler", [cite news | last = Bennetto | first = Jason | title = The Ipswich Ripper: How a town became a hunting ground | publisher = The Independent | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/the-ipswich-ripper-how-a-town-became-a-hunting-ground-428077.html | accessdate = 2008-02-27 ] and other terms to refer to the case. [cite news | last = Walsh | first = John | title = John Walsh: btw | work = Comments | publisher = The Independent | date = 2006-12-16 | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/john-walsh-ibtwi-428675.html | accessdate = 2008-02-27 ] [cite news | title = Police hunt for Suffolk strangler | publisher = East Anglian Daily Times | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://www.eadt.co.uk/search/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=Murders&itemid=IPED12%20Dec%202006%2011:56:26:660&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=search | accessdate = 2006-12-13 ] [cite news | last = Bennetto | first = Jason | title = Fears grow over prostitute deaths | work = BBC News | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6171177.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-12 ] [cite news | last = Chittenden | first = Maurice | title = Fear that ‘East Anglia Ripper’ has killed six | publisher = The Sunday Times | date = 2006-12-10 | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article666394.ece | accessdate = 2008-02-27 ] [cite news | title = Second woman found dead amid fear of vice-girl killer | publisher = The Times | date = 2006-12-09 | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article665058.ece | accessdate = 2006-12-26 ] [cite news | title = Red-Light Ripper feared | publisher = The Daily Telegraph (Australia) | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20913723-401,00.html | accessdate = 2006-12-14 ]

A reward was offered, first by local business Call Connection who initially offered £25,000 and later raised it to £50,000. [cite news| title =Third prostitute was strangled, say police | work =David Sapsted and Sally Peck | publisher =Daily Telegraph | date =2006-12-13 | url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/12/12/nserial12.xml ] Shortly after, the "News of the World" offered a £250,000 reward for leads to a direct arrest and conviction of the murderer/murderers bringing the total reward on offer to £300,000. [cite news | title = Catch Him: News of the World offers £250,000 reward | publisher = News of the World | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/murderreward.shtml | accessdate = 2006-12-12 ]

Concerns about the media coverage

On 21 December 2006, the then Attorney General Lord Goldsmith issued guidance to the media after concerns were raised by Suffolk Constabulary about the coverage and potential prejudice of a future trial. Lord Goldsmith urged the media to show restraint in what they reported about the two suspects being held, for fear of prejudicing any possible trial.cite news| title = Accused has a right to a fair trial before a jury.| publisher = date = 2006-12-22| url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/dec/22/pressandpublishing.suffolkmurders| accessdate = 2008-02-29 ] A senior prosecutor on the case, Michael Crimp, also expressed his concerns that media coverage could jeopardise the trial, stating:

Coverage of related issues

The murders refocused press attention on a number of controversial issues in British politics.

The first is that of prostitution in the United Kingdom. Prostitution in itself is not illegal in the UK, but activities surrounding it, such as living off the earnings of prostitution, are, and laws concerning it have long been criticised. [cite news | last = Morris | first = Nigel | title = Calls grow for reform of laws on prostitution | publisher = The Independent | date = 2006-12-14 | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/calls-grow-for-reform-of-laws-on-prostitution-428379.html | accessdate = 2008-02-27 ] [cite news | last = Waterhouse | first = Keith | title = How to book the hookers and the hooked | publisher = The Daily Mail | date = 2006-01-19 | url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/columnists/columnists.html?in_article_id=374529&in_page_id=1772&in_author_id=255 | accessdate = 2006-12-14 ] Government proposals have been made in this area but have not yet been actioned. [cite web | title = A long-term approach to tackling prostitution | work = About Us | publisher = Home Office.gov.uk | date = 2006-01-17 | url = http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/prostitution-strategy | accessdate = 2006-12-14 ] [cite news | title = Calls grow for reform of laws on prostitution | publisher = The Guardian | date = 2006-12-14 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/14/suffolkmurders | accessdate = 2008-02-27 ] The murders have highlighted the vulnerability of prostitutes and the lack of action taken by the government, whether to be more punitive in the hope of reducing the numbers of prostitutes on the streets, to move towards legalised brothels and other measures to improve the safety of the women, or to target the demand for prostitution through prosecution of the clients, as is done in Sweden. [cite news | title = Target Prostitute Users - Harman | publisher = BBC News | date = 2006-12-17 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6188203.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-19 ]

The second is that of drug use and whether it should be legalised or decriminalised, provided on prescription to registered addicts, or penalised more harshly. High numbers (95% according to the Home Office) [cite paper | title = Paying the Price: a consultation paper on prostitution | publisher = Home Office Communication Directorate | date = 2004-07-16 | url = http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/paying_the_price.pdf?view=Binary | format = PDF | accessdate = 2006-12-14 ] of street prostitutes in the United Kingdom have a history of substance abuse, and prostitution is one means of funding addiction.

Appeal

On 19 March 2008, it was announced that Wright would be lodging an appeal against his five convictions for murder, as well as the trial judge's recommendation that his life sentence should mean life. [cite news| title =Ipswich killer seeks to appeal sentence | work =Andrew Hough | publisher =Reuters UK | date =2008-19-3 | url =http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKL1928924820080319] Amongst other things, Wright has claimed that the trial should not have been held in Ipswich, and that the evidence against him was not sufficient proof of his guilt, so giving him grounds for an appeal.cite news| title =Suffolk killer makes appeal bid | work =BBC News | publisher =BBC | date =2008-03-19 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7305470.stm ] Wright was reported to have written to the court of appeal "All five women were stripped naked of clothing/jewellery/phones/bags and no evidence was found in my house or car." Wright has also applied to receive a new solicitor.cite news| title =Outrage at killer's appeal bid | work =MSN news | publisher =MSN | date 2008-19-3 | url =http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=7851359 ]

The news of his planned appeal has sparked outrage among those affected by his crimes, including Mr Brian Adams (father of victim Gemma Adams), who remains convinced of Wright's guilt and urged him to instead "come clean and stop wasting everyone's time". This first appeal was rejected in July 2008. [cite news| title =Serial killer Wright refused appeal | work = | publisher =eveningstar.co.uk | date =2008-07-02 | url =http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/news/story.aspx?brand=ESTOnline&category=News&tBrand=ESTOnline&tCategory=News&itemid=IPED02%20Jul%202008%2014%3A32%3A59%3A843]

On 15 July 2008 it was announced that Steve Wright had renewed his appeal against convictions, and it will be considered by three judges in an open court hearing, the Royal Courts of Justice said.cite news| title =Suffolk killer renews appeal bid | work =BBC News | publisher =BBC | date =2008-07-15 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7507530.stm ]

Timeline of events

*30 October TM108433|near Hintlesham west of Ipswich.
*3 December
**Anneli Alderton goes missing.
*5 December
**Annette Nicholls goes missing.
*8 December
**Tania Nicol's body is found oscoor|TM120420|near Copdock southwest of Ipswich.
*9 December
**Police confirm "obvious similarities" between the deaths of Nicol and Adams.
*10 December
**Anneli Alderton's body is found oscoor|TM222406|near Nacton. Paula Clenell goes missing.
*12 December
**Bodies of Nicholls and Clenell are found in close proximity to one another oscoor|TM235407|near Levington southeast of Ipswich.
*13 December
**Police in Suffolk reveal that there has been a large public response in aid of the investigation.
**Clothes of two women were found.
*14 December
**Police confirm that one of the bodies found 12 December near Levington is Paula Clennell.
*15 December
**Police confirm that the second of the bodies found on 12 December is that of Annette Nicholls.
**Media reports that a sixth woman has been reported missing are later disproved. [cite news | title = Girl's 'Secret' Life Of Prostitution/Victim's Secret Drug World | publisher = Sky News | date = 2006-12-15 | url = http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13556824,00.html | accessdate= 2005-12-15 ]
**Nicol's father makes public appeal to help solve her murder. [cite news | title = Tania father's plea to find killer | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-15 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/6181973.stm | accessdate = 2008-03-09 ]
*16 December 2006
**Police release CCTV footage of Alderton on the day she vanished. [cite news | title =Murder police issue CCTV images | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-12-16] | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/6185639.stm ]
*18 December
**At 07.20a.m. a 37-year-old man is arrested at his home in Trimley St. Martin, on suspicion of murder. The man was not named by police. [cite news | title = Suffolk Murders Arrest | publisher = Sky News | date = 2006-12-18 | url = http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1244453,00.html]
*19 December
** A second male suspect, aged 48, from Ipswich, is arrested.cite news | title = Second arrest in murder inquiry | publisher = BBC News | date = 2006-12-19 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6192085.stm]
** Magistrates grant police a 36-hour extension to hold and question the first arrested suspect.
*21 December
**Lord Goldsmith, the Attorney General, issued guidelines to the media regarding the reporting of information about the two men in custody.
**Police announce that they have released the first suspect on bail, while the second suspect is named as Steve Wright and is charged with the murder of all five women and will appear in court the next day.
*22 December
**Steve Wright appears in court before Ipswich magistrates and is remanded in custody. [cite web | title = Forklift truck driver remanded in custody on charges of murdering five Ipswich prostitutes | publisher = The Guardian. | date = 2006-12-23 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/23/suffolkmurders.audreygillan | accessdate = 2008-04-05 ]
*2 January 2007
**Steve Wright appeared at Ipswich Crown Court.
*1 May
**Steve Wright appeared at Ipswich Crown court pleading not guilty to five counts of murder.
*14 January, 2008
**Jury selection begins for Wright's trial at Ipswich Crown court; he pleads not guilty.
*16 January
**Wright's trial begins.
*21 February
**Steve Wright found guilty of murdering all five women. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7256402.stm|title=Wright guilty of Suffolk murders|accessdate=2008-02-21|date=21 February 2008|author=BBC News]
*22 February
**Wright sentenced to life imprisonment, with the trial judge recommending that he should never be released from prison. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7258115.stm|title=Wright sentenced to whole life tariff|accessdate=2008-02-22|date=22 February 2008|author=BBC News]

References

ee also

*List of serial killers by country
*List of serial killers by number of victims
*Serial killer
*Steve Wright (serial killer)

External links

* [http://www.itvlocal.com/anglia/suffolkmurders/ ITV Local Anglia Suffolk Murders microsite]
*" [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2006/12/13/do1301.xml Drugs are the curse of our land and turn women into prostitutes] " - Simon Heffer - Daily Telegraph, 13 December 2006
*" [http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/deborah-orr/deborah-orr-why-these-women-are-paying-the-price-of-a-zero-tolerance-approach-to-street-prostitution-428225.html Why these women are paying the price of a zero tolerance approach to street prostitution] " - Deborah Orr - The Independent, 13 December 2006
*" [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/article752428.ece How we let Gemma and Tania down - The case for legalised prostitution is clear] " - Alice Miles - The Times, 13 December 2006