Prostitute murder accused gives evidence

A forklift truck driver accused of murdering five prostitutes began giving evidence at his trial today.

Steve Wright, aged 49, of Ipswich, Suffolk, denies murdering Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.

The bodies of the women, who all worked as prostitutes in Ipswich, were found in remote locations near the town during a 10-day period in December 2006.

Wright, who wore a dark suit, white shirt and pale blue tie, was ushered to the witness box by two security guards.

He told the court he was living at 79 London Road, Ipswich, at the time of his arrest.

Defence barrister Timothy Langdale QC asked Wright about the moment he was arrested on suspicion of the five murders in December 19 2006.

Jurors have been told Wright felt “unsteady on his feet” and asked if he could sit down before he fell.

Mr Langdale asked: “Does that indicate you feeling as if you were about to faint?”

Wright answered: “Yes, it was.”

Mr Langdale asked if a similar incident had happened in the past.

Wright said: “Yes it has.”

He added: “When I become under stress.”