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Serial killer suspect alleged to have drugged four men Serial killer suspect alleged to have drugged four men
(35 minutes later)
An alleged serial killer has appeared in court charged with poisoning four young men he met on gay social networking websites and dumping their bodies near a churchyard.An alleged serial killer has appeared in court charged with poisoning four young men he met on gay social networking websites and dumping their bodies near a churchyard.
Stephen Port, 40, is accused of using the party drug GHB to fatally poison the men over a period of 15 months.Stephen Port, 40, is accused of using the party drug GHB to fatally poison the men over a period of 15 months.
Port, who describes himself as a special needs teacher on his Facebook page, was flanked by three uniformed officers at a hearing before Barkingside magistrates court in east London on Monday.Port, who describes himself as a special needs teacher on his Facebook page, was flanked by three uniformed officers at a hearing before Barkingside magistrates court in east London on Monday.
He spoke only to confirm his name and address before being remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey in central London on Wednesday.He spoke only to confirm his name and address before being remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey in central London on Wednesday.
On Monday evening, Scotland Yard said it had referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission over “potential vulnerabilities” in its response to the four deaths.On Monday evening, Scotland Yard said it had referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission over “potential vulnerabilities” in its response to the four deaths.
Port is alleged to have invited the four men back to his house where they were given large amounts of GHB, a party drug usually sold as odourless and colourless capsules. Prosecutor Paul Nagle told the court that all four men had overdosed on the drug.Port is alleged to have invited the four men back to his house where they were given large amounts of GHB, a party drug usually sold as odourless and colourless capsules. Prosecutor Paul Nagle told the court that all four men had overdosed on the drug.
The bodies of two of the victims were found by a dog walker less than a month apart in the churchyard of St Margaret’s church in North Street in Barking, while another was found near the ruins of Barking Abbey.The bodies of two of the victims were found by a dog walker less than a month apart in the churchyard of St Margaret’s church in North Street in Barking, while another was found near the ruins of Barking Abbey.
Port’s father, Albert Port, 73, told the Guardian on Monday night that he was “in complete shock” at the allegations and that he did not think his son capable of carrying out the actions alleged. “No way, nothing like that,” he said.Port’s father, Albert Port, 73, told the Guardian on Monday night that he was “in complete shock” at the allegations and that he did not think his son capable of carrying out the actions alleged. “No way, nothing like that,” he said.
He said he first learned of the allegations on Sunday night when his son telephoned him from the police station, but that police had not told him any more.He said he first learned of the allegations on Sunday night when his son telephoned him from the police station, but that police had not told him any more.
Port, who lives with his 74-year-old wife Joan in Dagenham, Essex, described his son as very quiet, easygoing and “won’t speak a lot”.Port, who lives with his 74-year-old wife Joan in Dagenham, Essex, described his son as very quiet, easygoing and “won’t speak a lot”.
He said Stephen was “just an ordinary working person” and worked as a chef for bus drivers.He said Stephen was “just an ordinary working person” and worked as a chef for bus drivers.
Anthony Walgate, a fashion and design student at the University of Middlesex, was the first to be found dead by police in Barking early in the morning of 19 June 2014. Sarah Sak, the mother of the popular 23-year-old, told the Hull Daily Mail last October of the “traumatic” wait for the toxicology results into his cause of death, which she learned about while on holiday in Turkey.Anthony Walgate, a fashion and design student at the University of Middlesex, was the first to be found dead by police in Barking early in the morning of 19 June 2014. Sarah Sak, the mother of the popular 23-year-old, told the Hull Daily Mail last October of the “traumatic” wait for the toxicology results into his cause of death, which she learned about while on holiday in Turkey.
“It took three days for me to find out my son had died,” she said. “I had my mobile phone switched off. One day I switched it on and realised I had hundreds of messages. I knew then that something awful had happened. I was in total shock. I was hysterical.”“It took three days for me to find out my son had died,” she said. “I had my mobile phone switched off. One day I switched it on and realised I had hundreds of messages. I knew then that something awful had happened. I was in total shock. I was hysterical.”
A dog walker found the body of Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, close to the churchyard of St Margaret’s church on 28 August 2014. The body of Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, was found close to the same churchyard, on 20 September.A dog walker found the body of Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, close to the churchyard of St Margaret’s church on 28 August 2014. The body of Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, was found close to the same churchyard, on 20 September.
Kovari’s family described him as “full of love and care for others” in a statement issued during an inquest at Walthamstow coroner’s court in June. The 22-year-old’s mother and brother said at the time: “He had been a very inquisitive and special child gifted in arts. He had excellent relationships with all his relatives and the desire to prove himself to the world.”Kovari’s family described him as “full of love and care for others” in a statement issued during an inquest at Walthamstow coroner’s court in June. The 22-year-old’s mother and brother said at the time: “He had been a very inquisitive and special child gifted in arts. He had excellent relationships with all his relatives and the desire to prove himself to the world.”
Coroner Nadia Persaud read a statement from Whitworth’s father, Adam Whitworth, which described his son as a happy man who loved gardening. “He was an active and intelligent outdoors boy who loved days on his bike exploring leafy byways,” it read. “Those who knew him were shocked by this terrible news.”Coroner Nadia Persaud read a statement from Whitworth’s father, Adam Whitworth, which described his son as a happy man who loved gardening. “He was an active and intelligent outdoors boy who loved days on his bike exploring leafy byways,” it read. “Those who knew him were shocked by this terrible news.”
The fourth alleged victim was Jack Taylor, 25, a forklift operator from Dagenham whose body was found near the abbey ruins close to North Street on 14 September this year, 300 yards from St Margaret’s churchyard.The fourth alleged victim was Jack Taylor, 25, a forklift operator from Dagenham whose body was found near the abbey ruins close to North Street on 14 September this year, 300 yards from St Margaret’s churchyard.
Barking and Dagenham police had initially ruled out a connection between the four deaths, but later referred the cases to Scotland Yard’s homicide unit.Barking and Dagenham police had initially ruled out a connection between the four deaths, but later referred the cases to Scotland Yard’s homicide unit.
On Facebook, Port claims to have attended the University of Oxford and in June said he had started working as special needs catering teacher at Westminster Kingsway College in King’s Cross.
His publicly available pictures are mostly photos of his face and athletic upper body, the rest are of cars and characters from the Transformer movie franchise. Port’s ‘liked’ pages are largely split between muscular action stars, children’s cartoons, and LGBT groups.
Wearing a grey tracksuit and standing with his hands folded in front of him, Port was told by deputy district judge Shlomo Kreiman that his case would be transferred to the Old Bailey.Wearing a grey tracksuit and standing with his hands folded in front of him, Port was told by deputy district judge Shlomo Kreiman that his case would be transferred to the Old Bailey.
He gave no indication of plea to the four charges of murder or four counts of “administering a poison with intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm”.He gave no indication of plea to the four charges of murder or four counts of “administering a poison with intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm”.
GHB, or gammahydroxybutrate, can produce a feeling of euphoria, reduce inhibitions and cause sleepiness, according to the drugs advice website Talk to Frank. It is illegal to own or supply the Class C drug, with sentences ranging up to two years in prison for possession and 14 years in jail for supplying GHB.GHB, or gammahydroxybutrate, can produce a feeling of euphoria, reduce inhibitions and cause sleepiness, according to the drugs advice website Talk to Frank. It is illegal to own or supply the Class C drug, with sentences ranging up to two years in prison for possession and 14 years in jail for supplying GHB.
Talk to Frank warns that the drug is “particularly dangerous when used with alcohol” and that it can cause unconsciousness, coma and death.Talk to Frank warns that the drug is “particularly dangerous when used with alcohol” and that it can cause unconsciousness, coma and death.