Mother tells of a family devastated
Feb 22 2008 The Journal
THE mother of murdered Northumberland prostitute Paula Clennell said last night her killer should be executed.
A judge will decide today whether serial killer Steve Wright should spend the rest of his life in jail.
And detectives are trying to establish whether the former merchant seaman – convicted yesterday of killing five prostitutes – had murdered before.
Jurors at Ipswich Crown Court took less than eight hours to convict Wright of murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, of Berwick, and Annette Nicholls, 29.
Miss Clennell’s mother Isabella said 49-year-old Wright – a former QE2 steward – should be executed.
Mr Justice Gross will pass sentence today following a six-week trial.
Wright, of Ipswich, Suffolk, will be given five mandatory life sentences. But the judge must decide if and when he could apply for parole.
Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, told the judge that Wright’s “campaign of murder” justified a whole-life term.
And Mrs Clennell said after the hearing: “I wish we still had the death penalty, as this is what he truly deserves.”
But Timothy Langdale QC, defending, said Wright should serve no more than 30 years before release was considered.
Prosecution lawyers said last night they had no evidence linking Wright to any other crimes, and no evidence that anyone else was involved in the Ipswich killings.
But detectives will re-check outstanding cases to see whether Wright could have more blood on his hands.
Paula Clennell is originally from Berwick and her father Brian lives in nearby Spittal.
He was too upset to speak yesterday, but Ms Clennell’s mother Isabella issued a statement, which was read by Ms Clennell’s brother-in-law.
“Some of what has been said at the trial has been hard to bear. What Wright did, Steve Wright ... took five lives. Listening to his lies and excuses has made me feel sick. My daughter would still be alive today if she had not been murdered.
“Who knows? She may have been off the drugs and leading a normal life.
“At least she would have had that choice. Steve Wright took that choice away from her and from the other four girls.
“Justice has been done. Steve Wright will hopefully spend the rest of his life in prison. I wish that we still had the death penalty ... he murdered five girls, but at the same time has ruined a lot more lives.
Mrs Clennell, who moved to East Anglia following the break up of her marriage, said: “I would like to thank PC Sam Jenkins, DC Sarah Whitman, our police family liaison officers. Without their help and understanding I would not have coped through this terrible time.
“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all of the police officers and everyone involved in this conviction.
“Our family are devastated and wish to be left alone. The past is so upsetting and no-one will ever understand what we have been through.”
Read more at:
