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Defendant DNA 'found on victims' Alleged killer's DNA 'on victims'
(20 minutes later)
The DNA of a man accused of murdering five women in Suffolk was found on the naked bodies of three of the victims, Ipswich Crown Court has heard.The DNA of a man accused of murdering five women in Suffolk was found on the naked bodies of three of the victims, Ipswich Crown Court has heard.
Steve Wright, 49, of Ipswich, denies murdering the women, who all worked as prostitutes to fund drug habits.Steve Wright, 49, of Ipswich, denies murdering the women, who all worked as prostitutes to fund drug habits.
Prosecutor Peter Wright QC said the evidence of links between the defendant and the women's bodies painted a "compelling picture of his guilt". The court heard evidence showed he had been in "close contact" with three of the women shortly before their deaths.
Two of the women were found in a crucifix pose, the jury was told. Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, said the chances that the DNA did not match the defendant's was "one in a billion".
Mr Wright said the probability of obtaining such a DNA match by chance was "one in a billion". He said links between the defendant and the women's bodies painted a "compelling picture of his guilt".
Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, Annette Nicholls, 29, Tania Nicol, 19, and 25-year-old Gemma Adams went missing during six weeks in 2006.Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, Annette Nicholls, 29, Tania Nicol, 19, and 25-year-old Gemma Adams went missing during six weeks in 2006.
The significant aspect of the DNA is that the defendant's DNA is common to each of the victims Peter Wright QC, prosecutingThe significant aspect of the DNA is that the defendant's DNA is common to each of the victims Peter Wright QC, prosecuting
Their bodies were all found naked and dumped in remote areas between 2 and 12 December. Their bodies were all found naked and dumped in remote areas between 2 and 12 December. Two of them were placed in a "crucifix pose", the court heard.
DNA matching the defendant was found on the bodies of Miss Alderton, Miss Clennell and Miss Nicholls.DNA matching the defendant was found on the bodies of Miss Alderton, Miss Clennell and Miss Nicholls.
Mr Wright said it was not surprising that no DNA was found on either Tania Nicol or Gemma Adams because their bodies had been immersed in water. Mr Wright said it was not surprising that no DNA was found on either Miss Nicol or Miss Adams because their bodies had been immersed in water.
DNA of at least one other person was found on Miss Alderton's body but the jury was told this was likely to be linked to her work as a prostitute.DNA of at least one other person was found on Miss Alderton's body but the jury was told this was likely to be linked to her work as a prostitute.
The women were all found dead on the outskirts of Ipswich
Mr Wright said: "The significant aspect of the DNA is that the defendant's DNA is common to each of the victims."Mr Wright said: "The significant aspect of the DNA is that the defendant's DNA is common to each of the victims."
The court was told the DNA would have been washed off the women after the contact had they been alive.
Mr Wright told the jury the findings did not point to an "unfortunate coincidence" but rather that the defendant was "engaged in an active campaign of murder".
"A campaign in which he had deliberately targeted working prostitutes in the Ipswich area as his victims and succeeded in murdering no fewer than five in a very short space of time," he added.
The trial, which is expected to last six weeks, continues.The trial, which is expected to last six weeks, continues.