Ipswich prostitute murder trial

[23rd January 2008]

In mid-December 2006, the bodies of five prostitutes were found in Ipswich. On 21st December 2006, Steve Wright from Ipswich was charged with the murders. In March last year, Wright pleaded ‘not guilty' to the charges and the trial began less than 2 weeks ago.

During this time, the jury have visited the locations where the bodies were found and the house where Steve Wright was living at the time of the murders. Yesterday, Ipswich Crown Court heard evidence from the mother of one of the victims, who had no idea that her daughter was working as a prostitute.

Martin Brunt is currently reporting on the Ipswich murders for Sky News and tells Crimestoppers about Day One in the life of a crime reporter at Ipswich Crown Court.

There's an air of anticipation in the huddle of crime reporters queuing for the start of the big trial, especially since it's a trial away from London.

We couldn't be certain we'd get a copy of the prosecutor's opening speech, so we were also pre-empting the fact that our shorthand might be sorely tested today.

The defendant, Steve Wright, shares a surname with the prosecutor, Peter Wright. I got them mixed up once, but it was enough to prompt a friendly rebuke from a hack friend whose news editor in London had spotted my error. I suppose I should be glad my rivals are watching.

The defendant arrived booted and suited, albeit locked in a prison van, and sat in the dock of Court One. To the side and out of sight of him, were relatives of some of the victims.

Unusually, there wasn't a gathering of gawpers to shout and heckle a man accused of five murders. Maybe Ipswich has already had enough of the grim story, which has overshadowed the town since 2nd December 2006.

Of course, we were accorded the normal disdain by court officials, who, up and down the country, treat reporters like something they've trodden in.

There were just eleven media seats; you couldn't get in without a ticket and we all had to sit in our allocated chairs, even when the court emptied.

There was also an annexe - Court Two - where we could watch the trial on video, but the sound was poor and there was none of the atmosphere so important to colour writers. Besides, you needed tickets for that too.

The first day did produce a couple of moments of real courtroom drama. The first jury was suddenly discharged after one juror had a health problem.

Then Steve Wright's lawyer admitted he wouldn't challenge the forensic evidence, because the defendant had had sex with four of the victims and the fifth had travelled in his car. The line remained the same though - he hadn't murdered them.

For me, it was all downhill after that….it got very cold outside and then a storm blew up and soaked my notes in front of the live camera. And you should have seen what it did to my hair.

The trial continues.

For some background information on the Ipswich murders, Eamonn Holmes presents a video timeline of the killings on the Sky News website.