How the full horror of Shipman's crimes emerged

THE true horror of Harold Shipman’s murderous life was only fully realised two-and-a-half years after his conviction for 15 killings.

Detectives always suspected the family doctor was responsible for many more deaths, but it was not until the first report of the official Shipman inquiry that the full, grisly picture emerged.

High Court judge Dame Janet Smith, chairman of the ongoing inquiry, said the mild-mannered GP murdered at least 215 patients over a 23-year terror spree and suspicion surrounded many more.