Networked Knowledge - Media Report

[This edited version of the report has been prepared by Dr Robert N Moles]

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On 14 January 2008 EADT reported “Ipswich killings trial starts today”.

It said the media spotlight will once again be on Ipswich as one of the biggest trials in British legal history is set to get underway today. Steve Wright, from Ipswich, has denied murdering Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, Anneli Alderton, 24, Annette Nicholls, 29, and Paula Clennell, 24. The bodies of the five women, who all worked as prostitutes in Ipswich's red light district, were found in a ten-day period in December 2006.

The trial, which is taking place at Ipswich Crown Court and is being presided over by High Court judge Mr Justice Gross, is expected to last between six and eight weeks. Media organisations from around the world are expected to turn out in force for the hearing - as they did when the girls' bodies were first discovered. The court room will be so packed with journalists from press and TV that a secondary annexe has been set up where proceedings will be fed by videolink. Access to the public gallery at the courthouse is also going to be limited due the number of friends and family of the victims who are expected to attend.

The first day of the trial will be taken up by the selection of the 12 jury members and then swearing them in. The prosecution team, led by Peter Wright QC, will then start proceedings with an opening statement outlining the case tomorrow or Wednesday. Wright, 49, of London Road, Ipswich, is being represented by a defence team headed by Timothy Langdale QC. In May last year he pleaded not guilty to the charges of murdering the five women, whose bodies were found in rural locations close to Ipswich.

Steve Wright arrives at court

Steve Wright, the man accused of murdering five sex workers, has arrived at Ipswich Crown Court. The 49-year-old from Ipswich arrived in a van at the courts in Russell Road at 9.12am. Shortly before, his father Conrad Wright, from Felixstowe, and step-brother Keith Wright arrived at the court. Around 20 cameras and journalists are now outside the court, along with seven police officers. Wright, from London Road, has denied murdering Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, Anneli Alderton, 24, Annette Nicholls, 29, and Paula Clennell, 24. The bodies of the five women, who all worked as prostitutes in Ipswich's red light district, were found in a ten-day period in December 2006.  The trial, which is taking place at Ipswich Crown Court and is being resided over by High Court judge Mr Justice Gross, is expected to last between six and eight weeks.

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