14/01/2008

Suffolk Prostitute Murder Trial Begins

The trial of a former pub landlord charged with the murder of five women in Suffolk has begun.

Steve Wright, 49, is accused of murdering Anneli Alderton, 24, Gemma Adams, 25, Paula Clennell, 24, Annette Nicholls, 29 and Tania Nicol, 19. He has denied the charges.

A jury was sworn in in the case at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday. They are due to return to court on Wednesday morning to begin hearing evidence.

The five women, who all worked as prostitutes in the Ipswich area, were all found dead near the city in December.

An investigation was launched on November 1, following the disappearance of Miss Nicol, while a further appeal was made later that month about the disappearance of a second woman, Miss Adams.

Miss Adams' body was found on December 2, followed by the discovery of Miss Nicol's body on December 8.

Miss Alderton's body was found on December 10, while the bodies of Miss Clennell and Miss Nicholls were found on December 12.

Mr Wright reportedly arrived at Ipswich Crown Court shortly after 9am on Monday in a prison van.

The trial, which is expected to last at least six weeks, is being heard by Mr Justice Gross.

Peter Wright QC is leading the prosecution, while Mr Wright's defence is being handled by Timothy Langdale QC.

(KMcA)




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08 February 2008
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The man accused of the murder of five prostitutes in Ipswich has told a court that he could have picked up all of the women on the nights that they disappeared. Steve Wright, 49, told Ipswich Crown Court that he may have had sex with four of the women on the nights that they vanished, but denied having any involvement in their deaths.
16 January 2008
Suffolk Murder Victims 'Placed In Crucifix Pose'
The bodies of two of the five women murdered in Suffolk at the end of 2006 were found deliberately posed in a crucifix shape, Ipswich Crown Court has heard. The prosecution case against Steve Wright, 49, of London Road, Ipswich, who is accused of murdering five prostitutes in Ipswich in late 2006, is beginning today.
30 January 2008
Victim's Evidence Heard At Suffolk Murder Trail
Jurors at the trial of the man accused of killing five women in Ipswich have heard evidence from 'beyond the grave'. A statement was read from one of the alleged victims of the accused, 49-year-old Steve Wright - who denies the murders - yesterday.
01 May 2007
Man in court over Suffolk prostitute murders
A 49-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murders of five prostitutes in Suffolk last year. Steve Wright, a former forklift truck driver, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday. He denied killing Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.
01 February 2008
DNA Samples Found On Wright's Clothes
DNA samples discovered on gloves and a coat belonging to a man accused of murdering five prostitutes are likely to have came from two of his alleged victims, a forensic expert has said.