Accused in Ipswich prostitute killings appears in court
- Thread starter CBC News
- Start date
23 December 2006
POLICE BUY THE RIPPER ACCUSED A £200 SUIT
By Aidan McGurran
Steve Wright is appearing at Ipswich Crown Court charged with murdering five prostitues.
POLICE BUY THE RIPPER ACCUSED A £200 SUIT
By Aidan McGurran
Steve Wright is appearing at Ipswich Crown Court charged with murdering five prostitues.
RIPPER suspect Steve Wright appeared in court yesterday accused of five murders - and wearing a £200 suit paid for by police.
Wright, 48, who showed no trace of emotion before being remanded in custody, was taken from his home in his pyjamas when he was arrested at 5am on Tuesday.
He wanted to be dressed smartly for court. So he was bought a black suit, white shirt, blue tie with white stripes and black shoes.
His solicitor Paul Osler said after the five-minute hearing: "The clothes were supplied by police. They were kind enough to arrange attire he wished to be seen in.
"Obviously for proceedings such as this, something reasonably sober was appropriate. It was left to Suffolk police."
Prostitute Lou, 28, who watched Wright being driven from Ipswich magistrates' court, said: "It's outrageous. He's accused of murdering five of my friends and the police bought him a new suit. I can't believe it."
Wright was charged on Thursday night with killing prostitutes Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, Paula Clennell, 24, Anneli Alderton, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.
He is believed to have been held at Stowmarket police station, around 10 miles from Ipswich. Yesterday at 9.30am he was driven to court, sitting out of sight in the caged-off rear of a white van escorted by two police cars and two outriders.
Just under 40 minutes later he was brought into the dock of Court 3 flanked by two officers. A third officer stood outside the dock.
The stocky forklift truck driver - silver-haired and more than 6ft tall - confirmed his name as "Steve Gerald James Wright".
He also confirmed his address as 79 London Road, Ipswich - where he lives in a two-bedroom Victorian house on the outskirts of the town's red light district - and his date of birth as April 24 1958.
It was the only time he spoke. His voice, betraying a Norfolk-Suffolk accent, was clear and calm. Although the courtroom was packed with more than 70 journalists, he never once glanced around.
Instead, he stood staring intently at the clerk and the magistrates as the charges against him were read out.
Wright was accused of murdering Tania on or between October 29 and December 9, Gemma between November 15 and December 3, Anneli between December 2 and 11, Annette between December 4 and 13 and Paula between December 9 and 13. No plea was entered.
After Wright sat down, prosecutor Robert Sadd said the case had to be referred to Ipswich crown court. Mr Osler said: "Suffice to say, there is no application for bail today."
Wright was remanded in custody to appear at Ipswich crown court for a preliminary hearing at 10.30 am on January 2.
He stood up as presiding magistrate Peter West told him: "You've heard what has been said. For reasons given by the prosecution you will be remanded in custody. You can go with the officers. Thank you."
Wright then turned and left the dock for the cells, flanked by the two police officers.
Mr Osler later briefed journalists in a room below the court.
Asked if Wright was maintaining his innocence, he replied: "It's a matter that is appropriate for a court in due course.
I'm not able to indicate a plea and you shouldn't read anything into that.
"He's aware of the extent of press coverage. He's probably not aware of the content. He hasn't been watching TV.
"I doubt he's even read a newspaper. But he's certainly aware of the interest in the case.
"Anybody accused of these offences has to be distressed by the facts of the accusation.
Given those circumstances, he is bearing up well. I don't want to say any more than that."
Mr Osler did not comment on where Wright had been held and whether he had co-operated with officers.
But he disclosed that the suspect was interviewed by detectives for a total of eight hours over three days.
He added: "He was treated in a very civilised fashion and given proper clothing and washing facilities.
"He was provided with cigarettes, refreshments and food. There are no complaints from him about the police in that regard.
"He was charged at about 10pm. I was present when he was charged. I'm not able to comment on his reaction. There's nothing he has asked me to relay to you.
"It's going to be a while before the facts come to court. Inevitably there'll be a serious crown court case - one of the most serious in UK criminal history."
Mr Osler confirmed that Wright was receiving legal aid and would have a QC appointed to act on his behalf.
Wright's name had not featured on the court list alongside nine other defendants appearing for offences including burglary, criminal damage and assault.
But the huge media presence ensured that he was the first defendant to appear.
No relatives of the dead women were in court. The hearing was attended by only one member of the public, shaven-headed lorry driver Matthew Mursell, 39.
Wearing bleached jeans, a black leather jacket and with a tear tattooed under one eye, Mr Mursell said: "I'm just interested in being one of the first to see him. I live round the corner from Annette Nicholls's family and know some of them."
A small crowd of shoppers and passers-by gathered outside the court to see Wright being driven away in a police van flanked by two patrol cars. None shouted abuse.
mirror.co.uk