Ripper ‘didn’t act alone’

MORE THAN one person probably carried out the series of gory murders attributed to the notorious Jack the Ripper, it was claimed yesterday.

Former murder squad detective Trevor Marriott said it was highly unlikely the same killer had been responsible for the “double event murders” when the bodies of two of the Ripper’s victims were discovered within 12 minutes of each other.

“My theory is that had the Ripper been responsible for the first murder and had been disturbed as has been suggested, he would have been in a great hurry to escape from the area.

Mr Marriott, a former detective constable in Bedfordshire Police was in Derry yesterday to deliver a presentation entitled Jack the Ripper: Man or Myth.

Having investigated the case for the past 10 years, he believes most suspects named by Ripper enthusiasts over the years could not have been responsible.

“Most of the main suspects put forward aren’t worthy of being classed as suspects. Some of them have been hyped up by publicity and media over the years.”

One prime suspect was Francis Tumblety, a US “quack” doctor, who was arrested for gross indecency at the time of the murders.

Tumblety, who fled to the US when bailed, has been linked to the killings because he was said to have kept a collection of female organs.

Another leading suspect was Queen Victoria’s grandson, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, who as one theory goes, had a child to a “low-born” woman and set up home with her in the East End.

It was rumoured that Queen Victoria ordered members of the cabinet to take action to end the liaison.

“It is highly unlikely that a member of the Royal Family and an heir to the throne would be allowed to set up home in the East End of London.

Having spent so long studying the killings, he would love to be the person who finally solves the case.

“It would be one of the greatest breakthroughs in criminal history. But I’m not saying I’m going to go and solve it tomorrow.”