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Murder victims 'in crucifix pose' Murder victims 'in crucifix pose'
(20 minutes later)
The bodies of two of five murdered women were placed in a crucifix pose, a jury at Ipswich Crown Court has heard. A man who carried out a "campaign of murder" left two of his five victims in a crucifix pose, a jury was told.
Steve Wright, 49, who denies murder, "systematically selected" and killed the women, Ipswich Crown Court heard.
The discovery of the bodies with their arms outstretched was among a number of "striking" similarities in the deaths.The discovery of the bodies with their arms outstretched was among a number of "striking" similarities in the deaths.
All five, who worked as prostitutes to fund drug habits, were found naked and appeared to have been strangled or asphyxiated by one or more killers. All five, who worked as prostitutes to fund drug habits, were all found naked and appeared to have been strangled or asphyxiated by one or more killers.
Steve Wright, 49, who denies five counts of murder, was the "common denominator", the jury was told.
Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and 29-year-old Annette Nicholls went missing during six weeks in 2006.Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and 29-year-old Annette Nicholls went missing during six weeks in 2006.
The court heard the victims were "systematically selected and murdered".
The state of their bodies and the circumstances... is consistent with a campaign of murder Peter Wright QC
Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, said the decision by the women to turn to prostitution "was ultimately to prove fatal".Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, said the decision by the women to turn to prostitution "was ultimately to prove fatal".
The state of their bodies and the circumstances... is consistent with a campaign of murder Peter Wright QC
"In the 10 days that elapsed from 2 to 12 December 2006, their bodies began to turn up," he said."In the 10 days that elapsed from 2 to 12 December 2006, their bodies began to turn up," he said.
The naked bodies of two of the victims - Miss Alderton and Miss Nicholls - had been left in a "cruciform shape", the jury was told.The naked bodies of two of the victims - Miss Alderton and Miss Nicholls - had been left in a "cruciform shape", the jury was told.
Miss Alderton's body was found in woodland near Nacton on 10 December while Miss Nicholls' body was found near Nacton two days later.Miss Alderton's body was found in woodland near Nacton on 10 December while Miss Nicholls' body was found near Nacton two days later.
Mr Wright said of Miss Alderton: "In all likelihood she had been murdered elsewhere and her body abandoned and left posed in this isolated spot."Mr Wright said of Miss Alderton: "In all likelihood she had been murdered elsewhere and her body abandoned and left posed in this isolated spot."
The women were all found dead on the outskirts of Ipswich
Evidence showed Miss Nicholls had been murdered and her body abandoned shortly after she was last seen alive on 8 December, the court heard.Evidence showed Miss Nicholls had been murdered and her body abandoned shortly after she was last seen alive on 8 December, the court heard.
Women 'unsuspicious'
The prosecutor told the jury that Mr Wright, who lived in the town's red-light district, was a user of prostitutes and had transport to both pick them up and dispose of their bodies.The prosecutor told the jury that Mr Wright, who lived in the town's red-light district, was a user of prostitutes and had transport to both pick them up and dispose of their bodies.
The women were also at ease in his company and unsuspicious of his motives, even when the bodies of other prostitutes began to turn up, the court heard.The women were also at ease in his company and unsuspicious of his motives, even when the bodies of other prostitutes began to turn up, the court heard.
Mr Wright said the defendant had the opportunity to commit the murders when his partner was at work on night shift and out of the house.Mr Wright said the defendant had the opportunity to commit the murders when his partner was at work on night shift and out of the house.
Jurors were told there was evidence that the women were asphyxiated while under the influence of hard drugs.Jurors were told there was evidence that the women were asphyxiated while under the influence of hard drugs.
Mr Wright said: "The state of their bodies and the circumstances in which they were systematically stripped and dumped is consistent with a campaign of murder."Mr Wright said: "The state of their bodies and the circumstances in which they were systematically stripped and dumped is consistent with a campaign of murder."
Car spotted The women were all found dead on the outskirts of Ipswich
The prosecutor earlier said Miss Nicol and Miss Adams were the first to go missing.The prosecutor earlier said Miss Nicol and Miss Adams were the first to go missing.
At the time of the deaths, the accused was working in Hadleigh, an area a little to the west from where the bodies were found, he said.At the time of the deaths, the accused was working in Hadleigh, an area a little to the west from where the bodies were found, he said.
He told the jury the circumstances of their disappearances and deaths showed they were "the work of the defendant, either alone or with the assistance of another".He told the jury the circumstances of their disappearances and deaths showed they were "the work of the defendant, either alone or with the assistance of another".
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.
She was last seen on 30 October "in an area of Ipswich often frequented by prostitutes and their clients", said the prosecutor.She was last seen on 30 October "in an area of Ipswich often frequented by prostitutes and their clients", said the prosecutor.
Jurors were told a witness saw a Ford Mondeo car, the same make of vehicle as owned by the accused, in the Handford Road area at the time Miss Nicol was there on 30 October.Jurors were told a witness saw a Ford Mondeo car, the same make of vehicle as owned by the accused, in the Handford Road area at the time Miss Nicol was there on 30 October.
The court heard Mr Wright's car was later seen by an automatic number plate recognition camera driving out of Ipswich towards the area where Miss Nicol's body was found.
Bodies in brookBodies in brook
The court heard Mr Wright's car was later seen by an automatic number plate recognition camera driving out of Ipswich towards the area where Miss Nicol's body was found.
Miss Adams was last seen on the evening of 14 November 2006 or early the next day.Miss Adams was last seen on the evening of 14 November 2006 or early the next day.
The prosecutor told the court there was also evidence to suggest Mr Wright's Ford Mondeo was again driving in the red light district around the time Miss Adams vanished.The prosecutor told the court there was also evidence to suggest Mr Wright's Ford Mondeo was again driving in the red light district around the time Miss Adams vanished.
He said Mr Wright had been "cruising the streets . . . in search of a suitable victim".He said Mr Wright had been "cruising the streets . . . in search of a suitable victim".
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.
A new jury is hearing the case after the first was discharged when one member reported health problems.A new jury is hearing the case after the first was discharged when one member reported health problems.
The trial has been adjourned until Thursday.The trial has been adjourned until Thursday.