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23/02/2006
Man admits to 'Wearside Jack' hoax
A man has admitted to being the Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as Wearside Jack at Leeds Crown Court today.
However, John Humble, 50, a former labourer from Sunderland, has denied intending to pervert the course of justice.
Mr Humble, who did not appear in court today, admitted sending two letters and an audio tape to police and a third letter to the 'Daily Mirror' during the investigation into the Ripper murders in the late 1970s.
However, he pleaded not guilty to four charges of perverting the course of justice.
At the pre-trial hearing, Mr Humble's defence counsel David Taylor told the court: "A defence statement has now been drafted whereby the defence concedes that he wrote the letters and in fact made the tape.
"The issue now is not one of whether it actually was him… it is solely the question of intent."
Judge James Stewart adjourned the case until March 20, when Mr Humble will go on trial. He also lifted reporting restrictions in the case.
The hoax letters and tape were sent as the inquiry into the Ripper murders intensified. They convinced West Yorkshire police that their suspect was from Sunderland, causing the investigation to be shifted to that area. During that time, the real ripper - Peter Sutcliffe, who was from Bradford - killed another three women.
Sutcliffe, now 59, was eventually arrested in 1981 and jailed for life for the murder of 13 women. He was later transferred to Broadmoor secure hospital.
(KMcA/GB)
However, John Humble, 50, a former labourer from Sunderland, has denied intending to pervert the course of justice.
Mr Humble, who did not appear in court today, admitted sending two letters and an audio tape to police and a third letter to the 'Daily Mirror' during the investigation into the Ripper murders in the late 1970s.
However, he pleaded not guilty to four charges of perverting the course of justice.
At the pre-trial hearing, Mr Humble's defence counsel David Taylor told the court: "A defence statement has now been drafted whereby the defence concedes that he wrote the letters and in fact made the tape.
"The issue now is not one of whether it actually was him… it is solely the question of intent."
Judge James Stewart adjourned the case until March 20, when Mr Humble will go on trial. He also lifted reporting restrictions in the case.
The hoax letters and tape were sent as the inquiry into the Ripper murders intensified. They convinced West Yorkshire police that their suspect was from Sunderland, causing the investigation to be shifted to that area. During that time, the real ripper - Peter Sutcliffe, who was from Bradford - killed another three women.
Sutcliffe, now 59, was eventually arrested in 1981 and jailed for life for the murder of 13 women. He was later transferred to Broadmoor secure hospital.
(KMcA/GB)
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26 October 2005
Ripper hoax accused remanded
A man accused of being the Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as ‘Wearside Jack’ has been remanded in custody until the New Year. Leeds Crown Court refused John Humble, 49, from Flodden Road on the Ford Estate in Sunderland, bail on Wednesday.
Ripper hoax accused remanded
A man accused of being the Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as ‘Wearside Jack’ has been remanded in custody until the New Year. Leeds Crown Court refused John Humble, 49, from Flodden Road on the Ford Estate in Sunderland, bail on Wednesday.
21 March 2006
Ripper hoaxer jailed for eight years
The man who admitted being behind the 'Wearside Jack' Yorkshire Ripper hoax has been jailed for eight years. John Humble, 50, an unemployed labourer from Sunderland, pleaded guilty to four counts of perverting the course of justice at Leeds Crown Court.
Ripper hoaxer jailed for eight years
The man who admitted being behind the 'Wearside Jack' Yorkshire Ripper hoax has been jailed for eight years. John Humble, 50, an unemployed labourer from Sunderland, pleaded guilty to four counts of perverting the course of justice at Leeds Crown Court.
20 March 2006
Ripper hoax accused pleads guilty
A man has admitted being the Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as 'Wearside Jack' in court today. John Humble, 50, a former labourer from Sunderland, had previously pleaded not guilty to four courts of perverting the course of justice, but changed his plea.
Ripper hoax accused pleads guilty
A man has admitted being the Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as 'Wearside Jack' in court today. John Humble, 50, a former labourer from Sunderland, had previously pleaded not guilty to four courts of perverting the course of justice, but changed his plea.
20 October 2005
Man remanded over Ripper hoax
A man has been remanded in custody in connection with the 'Wearside Jack' hoax letters and tape sent during the Yorkshire Ripper investigation. John Humble, 49, was arrested in Sunderland on Tuesday. He appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon charged with perverting the course of justice.
Man remanded over Ripper hoax
A man has been remanded in custody in connection with the 'Wearside Jack' hoax letters and tape sent during the Yorkshire Ripper investigation. John Humble, 49, was arrested in Sunderland on Tuesday. He appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon charged with perverting the course of justice.
09 March 2011
Yorkshire Ripper Loses Life Tariff Bid
The Yorkshire Ripper has lost his case to go to the highest court to challenge an order that he should never be released. In 1981 Sutcliffe received 20 life sentences for murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others in Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
Yorkshire Ripper Loses Life Tariff Bid
The Yorkshire Ripper has lost his case to go to the highest court to challenge an order that he should never be released. In 1981 Sutcliffe received 20 life sentences for murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others in Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
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