Prostitute murder accused questioned in court

The man accused of murdering five prostitutes in England could offer no explanation today for why blood from two of the women was found on one of his coats.

Steve Wright (aged 49), of Ipswich, Suffolk, denies murdering Gemma Adams (aged 25), Tania Nicol (aged 19), Anneli Alderton (aged 24), Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls (both aged 29).

Ipswich Crown Court has heard that the naked bodies of the five women, who all worked as prostitutes in Ipswich, were found at remote locations near the town during a 10-day period in December 2006.

Prosecutor Peter Wright QC today told jurors blood from Miss Nicholls and Miss Clennell was found on one of Wright’s coats.

He asked Wright to explain it – he could not.

“How did (Miss Nicholls’) blood get on the outside of the back of the right sleeve of your jacket?” asked Mr Wright.

Wright replied: “I couldn’t say.”

Mr Wright asked: “How did (Miss Clennell’s) blood get on the back of your left shoulder?

Wright replied: “I have no idea.”

Wright - who finished giving evidence today - denied that he had tried to “tailor” his explanations to fit prosecution evidence.