This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/suffolk/7190318.stm

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Murder accused 'possibly helped' Accomplice theory in murders case
(20 minutes later)
A man accused of murdering five women in Suffolk may not have been working alone, a jury has been told.A man accused of murdering five women in Suffolk may not have been working alone, a jury has been told.
Steve Wright, 49, denies killing Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and 29-year-old Annette Nicholls.Steve Wright, 49, denies killing Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and 29-year-old Annette Nicholls.
The court was told that the five women went missing in Ipswich over six and a half weeks to early December 2006.The court was told that the five women went missing in Ipswich over six and a half weeks to early December 2006.
The women had drug problems and worked as prostitutes to fund their addiction, the court heard.The women had drug problems and worked as prostitutes to fund their addiction, the court heard.
Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, said: "In each of their cases this decision was ultimately to prove fatal.Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, said: "In each of their cases this decision was ultimately to prove fatal.
"In the 10 days that elapsed from 2 December to 12 2006, their bodies began to turn up.""In the 10 days that elapsed from 2 December to 12 2006, their bodies began to turn up."
He said Miss Nicol and Miss Adams were the first to go missing.
He told the jury: "We say the circumstances of their disappearance, the location at which their bodies were found, the condition of the bodies and the manner of their deaths will lead you to the conclusion that their deaths were, in fact, no coincidence.
"Rather the work of the defendant, either alone or with the assistance of another."
Body trappedBody trapped
Miss Nicol's naked body was found in a stretch of water known as Belstead Brook on 8 December.Miss Nicol's naked body was found in a stretch of water known as Belstead Brook on 8 December.
The body was trapped in debris in the water close to a bridge.The body was trapped in debris in the water close to a bridge.
Mr Wright said: "Consequently, everything pointed to her having met her death at the hand or the hands of another or others."
A post-mortem examination was carried out on Miss Nicol's body but a definite cause of death was not found, the court heard.A post-mortem examination was carried out on Miss Nicol's body but a definite cause of death was not found, the court heard.
Mr Wright told the jury, made up of nine men and three women, that the pathologist felt it was more likely that she had been dead when she entered the water.Mr Wright told the jury, made up of nine men and three women, that the pathologist felt it was more likely that she had been dead when she entered the water.
The jury heard the last possible sighting of Miss Nicol was on 30 October.The jury heard the last possible sighting of Miss Nicol was on 30 October.
Mr Wright said: "She was in an area of Ipswich often frequented by prostitutes and their clients."Mr Wright said: "She was in an area of Ipswich often frequented by prostitutes and their clients."
The women were all found dead on the outskirts of IpswichThe women were all found dead on the outskirts of Ipswich
He said the next prostitute to disappear was Miss Adams, last seen on the evening of 14 November 2006 or early the next day.He said the next prostitute to disappear was Miss Adams, last seen on the evening of 14 November 2006 or early the next day.
Her naked body was the first to be found, on 2 December, in the same brook further upstream towards Hintlesham.Her naked body was the first to be found, on 2 December, in the same brook further upstream towards Hintlesham.
Mr Wright said a post-mortem examination on Miss Adams' body was also inconclusive.Mr Wright said a post-mortem examination on Miss Adams' body was also inconclusive.
He added: "But, we say, a pattern was beginning to emerge."He added: "But, we say, a pattern was beginning to emerge."
Steve Wright, of Ipswich, was charged with the murder of all five women on 21 December 2006.Steve Wright, of Ipswich, was charged with the murder of all five women on 21 December 2006.
He is being defended by Timothy Langdale QC during the trial before the judge, Mr Justice Gross.He is being defended by Timothy Langdale QC during the trial before the judge, Mr Justice Gross.
A new jury is hearing the case after the first jury was discharged when one member reported health problems.A new jury is hearing the case after the first jury was discharged when one member reported health problems.