Suffolk killer will die in prison

The five women were found dead around Ipswich in December 2006

A judge has continued to sum up the evidence in the trial of Steve Wright who is accused of murdering five women in 2006.

Mr Justice Gross reminded the jury how a DNA link was found and Mr Wright was watched by police before his arrest.

He told jurors that the process of summarising evidence was important for them to build up a "jigsaw".

Mr Wright, 49, of Ipswich, denies killing the women, who all worked as prostitutes in the town.

'Ignore emotions'

The jury was reminded of evidence that Mr Wright became unsteady on his feet when he was arrested and during the journey to the police station, officers noticed he was sweating and regularly closed his eyes.

The bodies of Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, were found over a 10-day period in December 2006.

Mr Justice Gross told the jury: "The loss of these five young lives is clearly a tragedy. You are likely to have sympathy for the deceased and their families.

Steve Wright, 49, denies killing the five women

"Your sympathy... must not sway you."

The judge added: "You may view with some distaste the lifestyles of those involved... whatever the drugs they took, whatever the work they did, no-one is entitled to do these women any harm, let alone kill them."

Mr Justice Gross reminded jurors that Tom Stephens, the first man arrested in connection with the five murders, was not "on trial".

But he said neither the defence nor prosecution could rule him out of the inquiry.

The judge read through a summary of the evidence heard during the trial, which has now entered its sixth week.

He told them to avoid any media coverage of the case and any reference to it on the internet.

The court adjourned with Mr Justice Gross due to continue summing up on Wednesday.