Suffolk murder suspect given trial date

A 48-year-old man appeared in court today accused of murdering five prostitutes.

Former forklift truck driver Steve Wright, of Ipswich, Suffolk, appeared before magistrates in Ipswich charged with the murders of Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

Wright was charged last night after being arrested at his home on Tuesday morning.

Wright was remanded in custody to appear before Ipswich Crown Court on January 2.

The five women were found dead near villages south of Ipswich during a 10-day period earlier this month.

Wright’s solicitor, Paul Osler, said prior to the hearing: “He is bearing up well.

“Of course anybody accused of these sorts of offences is going to experience trauma, but he is bearing up well.

“Anything to do with the case, facts and evidence is for the courtroom. I would remind everybody about the presumption of innocence.”

Wright has been kept in custody at an unnamed police station during the past three days.

He arrived at court amid tight security in a police van escorted by two police cars and motorcycle escorts.

Dozens of photographers were gathered behind crowd control barriers, trying to get pictures of Wright.

Senior policemen involved in the inquiry – including Detective Superintendent Roy Lambert – were at the magistrates court for the hearing.

A 37-year-old man – named by sources as Tom Stephens, of Trimley St Martin, Suffolk – was last night released on police bail without charge pending further inquiries after he was also arrested on Monday on suspicion of murdering the women.