Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Yes, I did some bad things.. but I didn’t murder any males
Ripper Sutcliffe’s letter rant
YORKSHIRE Ripper Peter Sutcliffe has admitted he “did some bad things”, but insists he never murdered any men.
The serial killer, 71, made the comments in a letter, in which he said police had questioned him about “16 non-fatal” attacks.
It follows recent claims he was quizzed over 17. Sutcliffe wrote: “Yes, I did some bad things, but I just want people to know I did not attack or murder any males.
“It would not be in my interest to say I didn’t do it if I did as I’m in jail till my dying day.”
Sutcliffe is serving 20 life terms for murdering 13 women and seven attempted killings between 1975 and 1980.
He sent the two-page letter to ITV from HMP Frankland in Durham, signed under his adopted name of Peter Coonan.
The killer said he is now registered blind so a “prison buddy/ carer” was writing the letter “under my instruction”. He denied hammer attacks on dad-of-five
KILLED
Fred Craven then taxi driver John Tomey a year later in 1967. Mr Craven died from the beating in his betting shop in Bingley, Bradford. Mr Tomey, 77, survived being savaged by a client in Leeds.
Sutcliffe claimed police were “satisfied” he was not involved in the 16 attacks but did not quiz him on Mr Craven and Mr Tomey.
But Mr Tomey said: “I’m 100% sure it was Sutcliffe who attacked me.” He added: “He must be very disappointed he didn’t kill me.”
Sutcliffe also wrote he could say “with 100% honesty I did not murder Mr Craven”, who he barely knew. Mr Craven’s daughter Irene Vidler, 74, hit back: “He used to come to our house for tea.” Richard Mccann, son of first confirmed Ripper victim Wilma, said: “This is the first time he has made reference to his crimes. But I learned long ago never to expect any remorse from this man.”
Sutcliffe’s plea of not guilty to 13 murders on grounds of diminished responsibility was rejected.