Ipswich prostitutes' murderer to be sentenced

UK serial killer Steve Wright will be sentenced today for the murder of five prostitutes.

Jurors yesterday took less than eight hours to convict Wright of murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

Scotland Yard has refused to rule Wright out as a suspect for the murder of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who disappeared 22 years ago, after it emerged that the pair both worked on the QE2 in the 1980s.

The jury’s verdict yesterday, following a six-week trial, means Wright, of Ipswich in the UK will be given five mandatory life sentences.

But the judge Mr Justice Gross will say today if and when the former merchant seaman can apply for parole.

Wright’s parents told reporters their son was placid and never showed any inclination towards violence. His father Conrad, 71, told the Sun that Wright deserved to die for his crimes and must be “some kind of demon”.

Prosecutor Peter Wright QC told the judge that Wright’s “campaign of murder” justified a “whole life term”.

And Miss Clennell’s mother Isabella said after the hearing that 49-year-old Wright – a former QE2 steward – should be executed.

“I wish we still had the death penalty as this is what he truly deserves,” Mrs Clennell said.

Detectives in the UK are trying to establish whether Wright had murdered before.

Prosecution lawyers last night said they had no evidence linking Wright to any other crimes – and no evidence that anyone else was involved in the Ipswich killings.

But detectives will re-check outstanding cases to see whether Wright could have more blood on his hands.

The Metropolitan Police yesterday said the Lamplugh inquiry was continuing.

The remains of the five women, who all worked as prostitutes in Ipswich, were found in isolated spots near the town between December 2 and December 12, 2006.

Detectives launched an inquiry after Miss Nicol vanished in late October 2006.

Prosecutors said Wright “systematically selected and murdered” the women over a six-and-a-half week period.

They said he stalked the red light district near his home when partner Pam Wright, 59, was working nights at a call centre.

Wright, who pleaded not guilty to murder, admitted picking up all the women on the nights they disappeared.

He told jurors that he had sex with all of them except Miss Nicol.

But he denied any involvement in their deaths or murders.

Miss Nicol and Miss Adams were found in a stream. Miss Alderton and Miss Nicholls had been laid out in a crucifix shape near woods with their hair carefully arranged above their head. Miss Clennell was dumped near a road.

Police established no motive and no reason why Wright left victims in a cruciform shape.