House searched in Ripper hoax probe

FORENSIC teams yesterday examined the house of a man arrested in connection with the hunt for the infamous Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer Wearside Jack.

West Yorkshire Police on Tuesday night arrested John Humble, 49, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice following a breakthrough in the hunt for the hoaxer behind the notorious Yorkshire Ripper tape.

He was being quizzed by detectives investigating the sending of a tape and letters 27 years ago, which fooled police into believing the Yorkshire Ripper was from the Castletown area of Sunderland. It is thought the arrest came after police recovered the letters - which were believed to have been lost - and unearthed new DNA evidence.