10/03/03 - Bad not mad
PATRICK MULCHRONE
The Mirror
YORKSHIRE Ripper Peter Sutcliffe is bad not mad and should
be moved from Broadmoor hospital to prison, it was claimed
yesterday.
MP Fabian Hamilton, whose constituents were terrorised
by the killer, has written to Home Secretary David Blunkett
urging the switch. Sutcliffe, given life for murdering
13 women, claimed voices in his head drove him to crime.
But Michael Bilton, author of a new book about Sutcliffe,
says he conned psychiatrists to win a cushy life behind
bars at the top-security hospital in Berkshire.
Labour MP Mr Hamilton, who represents Leeds North East,
said: "Evidence has come to lightthat Sutcliffe set
out to murder the women he did, that he did so knowing
what he was doing and that a particular piece of apparel
was worn during every murder."
Bilton's book Wicked Beyond Belief says the Ripper
wore a "killing kit" - a v-neck jumper upside
down with a leg in each arm so that he could engage
in sexual activity as he carried out his sadistic attacks.
Police ordered the destruction of an item of clothing,
described as "home-made leggings," after Sutcliffe's
arrest.
But Detective Constable Alan Foster kept them at his
home in Leeds in case Sutcliffe was ever released and
could be linked to more crimes. They have now been handed
to forensic experts.
Sutcliffe's murder spree lasted from 1975 to 1980.
Mr Hamilton says fresh evidence suggests he attacked
and may also have murdered a number of men in Yorkshire
in the 1960s.
One possible victim, bookmaker Fred Craven, was battered
to death at Bingley, Sutcliffe's home town, in 1966.
Michael Bilton said: "I believe Sutcliffe has
lied and lied about his involvement in other cases."
A Broadmoor spokes-man said patients were assessed regularly
and being a patient was not "dodging prison".
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