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KILLING KIT OF THE RIPPER
BY DAVID BRUCE The YEP has obtained an exclusive picture of the bizarre, home-made outfit which Sutcliffe was wearing when he was arrested 22 years ago.
A book published earlier this year and based on Home Office documents made the first-ever reference to the crudely made "jumper" which Sutcliffe wore as an undergarment.
Michael Bilton's book Wicked Beyond Belief reveals that when arrested, Sutcliffe was wearing a V-neck jumper worn upside down over his legs which allowed him to expose himself when carrying out his attacks.
The Old Bailey jury that tried Sutcliffe never knew about his killing kit.
And photographs of the crudely-made garment have never been seen before.
A former detective held on to the item for 20 years – before handing it back to police chiefs.
He told the YEP it was clearly made from the two sleeves of a jumper, made of "silky" material and crudely sewn together, leaving gaps to expose his private parts. When Sutcliffe was arrested his underpants were in a pocket and he was still wearing the killing kit underneath his trousers.
Had this been mentioned in court, prosecuting counsel could have argued that Sutcliffe went out equipped and determined to kill, and had not been propelled by the "voices" he claimed to hear.
The five-year reign of Bradford-born Sutcliffe came to an end in January 1981 when he was arrested for a traffic offence by police in South Yorkshire.
Sutcliffe blurted out that he knew what the officers were leading up to – and confessed to being the Ripper. In May, Sutcliffe was jailed for a minimum of 30 years by Justice Boreham for the murder of 13 women and the attempted murder of seven others.
Retired
Months later, exhibits officer Det Con Alan Foster, pictured left, was told to take various items of Sutcliffe's property – including the jumper – to the incinerator because the case was concluded.
Mr Foster, 57, from north Leeds, who retired 10 years ago, decided to hold on to the jumper. "Sutcliffe was looked at for 47 other offences," he said. "I thought it was wrong to destroy the jumper because you don't know what the future holds – as has been proved by the emergence of DNA."
Mr Foster now fears European Court rulings could mean that Sutcliffe would be considered for release in eight years time – when he completes his 30-year minimum.
"The Old Bailey trial for Sutcliffe was condensed and details about the jumper never came out," he said. "The fact he wore that jumper proves he pre-planned his crimes and should never be let out."
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said today: "We have been handed an item of clothing alleged to be part of the exhibits sent for destruction at the end of the Ripper inquiry. We are exploring what, if any forensic value they may have."
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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