'Coincidences' over Suffolk deaths

Steve Wright, who denies the murders of five women in Suffolk, has told Ipswich Crown Court he was a "victim of coincidence".

The women, who all worked as prostitutes, were found dead in December 2006.

During cross-examination, prosecuting barrister Peter Wright QC suggested to Mr Wright: "It would seem that in terms of picking up prostitutes in Ipswich you have been singularly unfortunate."

The defendant replied: "It would seem so, yes."

The counsel then relayed a list of the "coincidences", including:

• The similarity of the women's appearance
• They all disappeared shortly after Mr Wright moved to Ipswich's red light district
• Mr Wright could have been with all of the women on the night they vanished
• DNA was found on three of the women's bodies which matched Mr Wright's
• All of the women's bodied had fibres from his clothes, home or car on them
• Blood from two of the women was on one of his coats
• Mr Wright picked up prostitutes when his partner, Pam Wright, was working nights and prostitutes disappeared on nights when Ms Wright was at work

The 49-year-old was asked "Is that a coincidence?" by the prosecutor to each fact put to him. He answered yes, in total more than 50 times, to each piece of evidence outlined.