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Multiple killer theory on murders | Multiple killer theory on murders |
(20 minutes later) | |
More than one person might have been involved in the killing of five women in Suffolk, a jury was told. | More than one person might have been involved in the killing of five women in Suffolk, a jury was told. |
Prosecutor Peter Wright QC said police could not rule out the theory "another or others" may have played a part. | Prosecutor Peter Wright QC said police could not rule out the theory "another or others" may have played a part. |
Tania Nicol, 19, Annette Nicholls, 29, Paula Clennell, 24, Gemma Adams, 25 and Anneli Alderton, 24, were all found dead around Ipswich in December 2006. | Tania Nicol, 19, Annette Nicholls, 29, Paula Clennell, 24, Gemma Adams, 25 and Anneli Alderton, 24, were all found dead around Ipswich in December 2006. |
At Ipswich Crown Court, Steve Wright, 49, denied killing the women, who all worked as prostitutes. | At Ipswich Crown Court, Steve Wright, 49, denied killing the women, who all worked as prostitutes. |
The prosecutor said one particular individual - supermarket worker Tom Stephens - could not be eliminated. | The prosecutor said one particular individual - supermarket worker Tom Stephens - could not be eliminated. |
The admissions were made as the prosecutor was making his closing speech at forklift truck driver Steve Wright's trial. | |
Mere suspicions in respect of Tom Stephens cannot be converted into evidence Peter Wright QC | |
"Was more than one person involved?" Mr Wright said. | |
"We say the answer is simple. We may never know. No-one saw the crimes being committed. | |
"The offences may be the work of one man but we cannot exclude the possibility that another or others may have had a hand in each of these deaths." | |
'Common denominator' | |
He said the defence team had "raised the spectre of Tom Stephens" who was arrested on suspicion of murder and released without charge. | |
"There is no evidence that provides him with an independent verifiable alibi that would conclusively rule him out," the counsel said. | |
"Mere suspicions in respect of Tom Stephens cannot be converted into evidence." | |
Steve Wright was the one "common denominator" in the case, he added. | |
Jurors have been told the defendant's DNA was found on three of the women's bodies and forensic evidence from his clothes, home or car links him to all five. | |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |