'Crucifix link' in prostitute murders

Updated 23.11 Wed Jan 16 2008

Keywords: Suffolk, Ipswich, annette nicholls, Paula clennell, anneli alderton, tania nicol, gemma Adams, crime, law and order, courts

The bodies of two of the five murdered Suffolk prostitutes were found arranged in a "crucifix shape", a court has heard.

That the disappearances of Tania Nicol and Gemma Adams could be so "inextricably linked" means that only one man - working alone or with an accomplice - could be responsible, a court heard.

The trial is expected to last at least six weeks

Miss Nicol and Miss Adams were the first of five prostitutes to go missing.

Former pub landlord Steve Wright, 49, of Ipswich, Suffolk, denies murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

Prosecutor Peter Wright QC told the court: "You may conclude that the deaths of these women were inextricably linked and that both of them had been asphyxiated and then abandoned."

He added: "We say the circumstances of their disappearance, the location at which their bodies were found, the condition of the bodies and the manner of their deaths will lead you to the conclusion that their deaths were, in fact, no coincidence - but rather the work of the defendant, either alone or with the assistance of another."

The court later heard police caught Wright "cruising" Ipswich's red light area the day before the first body was found.

Prosecutor Peter Wright said: "In the small hours of December 1, his partner (Pamela Wright) was at work. The defendant was again out cruising the red light district of Ipswich.

"He was driving his Mark III Mondeo and seen driving slowly by police officers on duty in the area."

Mr Wright said police stopped the car and asked Wright why he was in the area.

"His response was that he couldn't sleep and so he had gone out for a drive," added Mr Wright.

"In addition he gave the impression that he was unaware that the area of Ipswich in which he was driving was the red light district. This, we say, was palpably untrue.

"He lived locally and was a frequenter of prostitutes. His lie was not out of embarrassment, it was designed to conceal what his real motive was in being out that night.

"In the event you may conclude he elected not to continue his efforts to locate a suitable victim. He chose to return home and bide his time. He did not have to wait long. It was only two days later that another woman (Anneli Alderton) went missing."

The case at Ipswich Crown Court continues.