01/05/2007

Man in court over Suffolk prostitute murders

A 49-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murders of five prostitutes in Suffolk last year.

Steve Wright, a former forklift truck driver, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday. He denied killing Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

The bodies of the women were found near Ipswich during a ten-day period in December last year. All of them had worked as prostitutes in the town.

The investigation, which was launched following the disappearance of Miss Nicol

involved more than 500 officers from more than 30 forces.

Mr Wright was arrested at his home in Ipswich on December 19.

His trial is now due to begin on January 14 next year at Ipswich Crown Court.

(KMcA/SP)


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