1981 Man arrested for Ripper murders

A 35-year-old lorry driver from Bradford, suspected of carrying out 13 murders across West Yorkshire over the past five years, has appeared in court.

Peter William Sutcliffe, of 6 Garden Lane, Bradford, is accused of murdering 20-year-old university student Jacqueline Hill, who was killed in Leeds seven weeks ago.

Sutcliffe, who was also charged with the theft of two number plates, was remanded in custody for eight days by magistrates in Dewsbury today.

Miss Hill is the latest victim in a spate of murders across West Yorkshire.

Following Sutcliffe’s arrest in Sheffield last Friday, police told reporters they were confident they had apprehended the notorious Yorkshire Ripper.

A crowd of more than 2,000 people, who had gathered outside the court, shouted abuse and threats as Sutcliffe, handcuffed to a police officer, was ushered into the court.

Accompanied by his wife Sonia and her father Sutcliffe was led up into the dock surrounded by uniformed police officers.

Wearing a blue cardigan and grey trousers, he stood motionless in the dock during the ten-minute hearing.

He spoke only to say that he understood the charges he was facing and to confirm that he had no legal representation.

The investigation into the Yorkshire ripper murders has involved hundreds of police officers and thousands of man-hours.

Sutcliffe will make his next court appearance on 13 January.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Peter Sutcliffe’s reign of terror as the Yorkshire Ripper lasted from 1976 to 1981, during which time he killed 13 women in the north of England and tried to kill seven others.

Sutcliffe, who claimed he was driven to commit the murders by messages from God, became the subject of one of the largest police manhunts this country has ever seen.

His victims were mainly prostitutes and many of their bodies were horribly mutilated with hammers and knives.

He was arrested on Friday 2 January, 1981 and following a two-week trial was sentenced to no less than 30 years behind bars on Friday 22 May 1981.