This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/suffolk/6192085.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Prostitute murders suspect held More time to quiz murder suspect
(40 minutes later)
Detectives investigating the murders of five women whose bodies were found at sites near Ipswich are continuing to question a 37-year-old man. Detectives investigating the murders of five women in the Ipswich area have been given an extra 12 hours to question a suspect.
Supermarket worker Tom Stephens was arrested on Monday at his home at Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe. Supermarket worker Tom Stephens, 37, was arrested on Monday at his home at Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe.
He is being held on suspicion of murdering prostitutes Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.He is being held on suspicion of murdering prostitutes Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.
He can now be held until Friday before he is charged or released.
The former special constable is in custody at a police station in Suffolk.The former special constable is in custody at a police station in Suffolk.
Detectives can hold him for up to 96 hours, through permission from the courts. Detectives can hold him for up to 96 hours by obtaining permission from the courts.
Forensic scientists have been carrying out searches at his home, in Jubilee Close, and his mother's home in the market town of Eye, Suffolk.Forensic scientists have been carrying out searches at his home, in Jubilee Close, and his mother's home in the market town of Eye, Suffolk.
Satellite images of key locations in the caseEnlarge ImageSatellite images of key locations in the caseEnlarge Image
Police have said the inquiry is ongoing and have not withdrawn advice to women on the streets of Ipswich. Police said the inquiry was ongoing and have not withdrawn advice to women on the streets of Ipswich.
Mr Stephens has said he knew the women who died but he denies any wrongdoing.Mr Stephens has said he knew the women who died but he denies any wrongdoing.
Speaking in an interview with BBC News last week for background purposes, Mr Stephens said he "was probably the closest thing Tania [Nicol] had as a boyfriend".Speaking in an interview with BBC News last week for background purposes, Mr Stephens said he "was probably the closest thing Tania [Nicol] had as a boyfriend".
Mr Stephens, who worked for Tesco in Martlesham, said he had spoken to Miss Nicol's mother in the days following her disappearance.Mr Stephens, who worked for Tesco in Martlesham, said he had spoken to Miss Nicol's mother in the days following her disappearance.
He said he had known Miss Nicol for about six months but had known Miss Adams for 18 months, "about as long as I've known any of the girls".He said he had known Miss Nicol for about six months but had known Miss Adams for 18 months, "about as long as I've known any of the girls".
Police interviewed him at his home earlier in the investigation and had taken his mobile phone and laptop computer, he added.Police interviewed him at his home earlier in the investigation and had taken his mobile phone and laptop computer, he added.
Former Scotland Yard Commander, Roy Ramm, stressed officers will not be jumping to conclusions. Former Scotland Yard Commander, Roy Ramm, stressed officers would not be jumping to conclusions.
Tom Stephens - important dates November 2 - interviewed voluntarily by policeNovember 22 - house searched by policeDecember 12 - interviewed by the BBCDecember 18 - arrested by police Tom Stephens - important dates 2 November - interviewed voluntarily by police22 November - house searched by police12 December - interviewed by the BBC18 December - arrested by police
"In any investigation like this, when you've got a number of young women who are all doing the same kind of thing, they're all acting as prostitutes in a very small area," he told BBC News."In any investigation like this, when you've got a number of young women who are all doing the same kind of thing, they're all acting as prostitutes in a very small area," he told BBC News.
"It's not inconceivable that a number of people will know all these young women, and could know them innocently. So I think the police will be proceeding very cautiously here.""It's not inconceivable that a number of people will know all these young women, and could know them innocently. So I think the police will be proceeding very cautiously here."
The five dead women were all found naked in rural settings, within 10 miles of Ipswich and close to the A14.The five dead women were all found naked in rural settings, within 10 miles of Ipswich and close to the A14.
The body of Miss Adams, 25, who went missing on 15 November, was found in a brook at Hintlesham, Suffolk, on 2 December.The body of Miss Adams, 25, who went missing on 15 November, was found in a brook at Hintlesham, Suffolk, on 2 December.
Nineteen-year-old Tania Nicol's body was found by police divers at Copdock Mill, near Ipswich, on 8 December.Nineteen-year-old Tania Nicol's body was found by police divers at Copdock Mill, near Ipswich, on 8 December.
The body of Anneli Alderton, 24, from Essex, was found in woodland in Nacton, near Ipswich, on 10 December.The body of Anneli Alderton, 24, from Essex, was found in woodland in Nacton, near Ipswich, on 10 December.
On 12 December detectives found the bodies of Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, near the village of Levington.On 12 December detectives found the bodies of Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, near the village of Levington.