Summing up continues in Ipswich trial
Updated on 19 February 2008
The judge in the trial of a man accused of murdering five prostitutes has been summing up the case.
Steve Wright, 49, of Ipswich, Suffolk, denies murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.
Their bodies were found at remote locations around Ipswich over a 10-day period in December 2006.
Mr Justice Gross read through statements and facts heard during the trial against Wright at Ipswich Crown Court.
On Monday, the jury was told by Judge Mr Justice Gross to cast aside any "sympathies" for the dead women.
Addressing the nine men and three women, Mr Justice Gross said: "The loss of these five young lives is clearly a tragedy. You are likely to have sympathy for the deceased and their families.
"Your sympathy... must not sway you. Such sympathies cannot assist you in deciding your task."
He added: "You may view with some distaste the lifestyles of those involved. If you do, that is irrelevant. Whatever the drugs they took, whatever the work they did, no-one is entitled to do these women any harm, let alone kill them."
He told jurors to avoid any media coverage of the case and any reference to it on the internet.
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