Worst serial killers of all

THERE is no accepted definition of a serial killer, but most criminologists agree that is someone who commits at least two, usually three, murders over a period of time. Here is the grisly list of Britain’s worst . . .

MARY ANN COTTON

Housewife (left), said to have poisoned 21 relatives in County Durham, including three of her four husbands, to claim on their life insurance. Hanged in 1873.

JACK THE RIPPER

Knifed five women in East London in 1888. He was never caught nor identified, despite various often fanciful attempts to name him.

JOHN HAIGH

Fraudster known as the Acid Bath Murderer who killed six people and disposed of their bodies in a bath of sulphuric acid. Hanged in 1949.

GEORGE CHAPMAN

Publican born in Poland (left) who poisoned three women with whom he was having affairs in East London. Hanged in 1903.

PETER MANUEL

Burglar born in New York who moved to Scotland as a child. Convicted of killing seven. Defended himself in court but hanged in 1958.

IAN BRADY/MYRA HINDLEY

Lovers whose torture and killing of five children in Manchester — the Moors Murders — so shocked 1960s Britain. Jailed in 1966.

PETER SUTCLIFFE

The Yorkshire Ripper killed 13 women over a decade after repeated failings by West Yorkshire Police. Jailed in 1981.

DENNIS NILSEN

Strangled 15 men in his London flat, before trying to dispose of body parts in the lavatory. Jailed in 1983.

THOMAS NEILL CREAM

A Scottish-American doctor (right) dubbed The Lambeth Poisoner who killed four prostitutes in London with a possible two more victims in America. Hanged in 1892.