Suffolk Murder Trial Begins (January 14, 2008)
The trial of a man accused of murdering five women in Suffolk begin today.
Steve Wright, 49, is charged with the murder of Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.
The women, who worked as prostitutes, were found dead near Ipswich during a 10-day period in December 2006. Mr Wright, a former forklift truck driver from Ipswich, denies the charges and the trial at Ipswich Crown Court is expected to last at least six weeks.
Police began enquiries on 1 November, 2006 when Miss Nicol was reported missing by her mother. On 15 November, they issued an appeal for information about a second missing woman, Miss Adams. Then on 2 December the body of Miss Adams was found by a member of the public in a brook at Thorpes Hill, Hintlesham. This was followed on 8 December by the discovery of Miss Nicol's body by a specialist diving team in water at Copdock Mill.
The bodies of the five women were found in a 10-day period |
On 10 December the body of Miss Alderton was spotted by a passing motorist in woodland at Nacton. Two days later a member of the public reported seeing a body near to Old Felixstowe Road. Officers responded and the crew of the Suffolk Police helicopter saw a second body close by. They were later confirmed to be Miss Clennell and Miss Nicholls.
The investigation was the biggest ever faced by the Suffolk force and involved 300 of their officers supported by specialist staff.
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