Man denies Suffolk murder charges

Steve Wright was arrested at his home on 19 December

A 49-year-old man has appeared in court to deny the murder of five women in Suffolk last year.

Steve Wright, of Ipswich, is accused of killing Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

The women were found dead near Ipswich, during a 10-day period in December. They all worked as prostitutes.

Mr Wright, a former forklift truck driver, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court to formally enter his pleas.

Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said the trial would take place in Ipswich and prosecutors told him that it was likely to last between six and eight weeks.

Huge inquiry

The Suffolk Police inquiry was one of the biggest the country has ever seen and involved more than 500 officers from 30 forces.

The operation began when Miss Nicol was reported missing after she was last seen on 30 October.

On 15 November, police issued an appeal for information about a second missing woman - Miss Adams.

Then in early December the body of Miss Adams was found, followed soon afterwards by the discovery of Miss Nicol's body.

On 10 December, the body of Miss Alderton, 24, was found at Nacton, near Ipswich.

Two days later, the bodies of the two other women were found.