2nd arrest in English prostitute murders case

IPSWICH – Police investigating the killings of five prostitutes in eastern England said they arrested a second suspect yesterday, and they continued to interrogate another man arrested a day earlier.

A 48-year-old man was arrested at 5 am in Ipswich, where all the victims worked, said Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull. Police have not confirmed the identity of either suspect.Neither man has been charged.The second suspect was arrested at his home in the red-light district of Ipswich, Sky News reported.Police blocked off part of London Road in Ipswich, while colleagues searched a home believed to be that of the second suspect.A dark blue Ford Mondeo was seen being loaded on a transporter by officers.The naked bodies of Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell, Gemma Adams and Annette Nicholls were found dumped in rural areas of eastern England, around Ipswich, 110 kilometres northeast of London, in a 10-day period beginning December 2.The suspect arrested Monday in Trimley St.Martin, 13 kilometres southeast of Ipswich, has been identified in news reports as Tom Stephens, 37.He had been quoted as telling the Sunday Mirror newspaper that he was innocent, but that he knew all five of the victims and had previously been interviewed by police.”I don’t have alibis for some of the times (of the killings), actually I’m not entirely sure I have tight alibis for any of the times.But I’m not worried about being charged.I’m innocent,” The Sunday Mirror quoted him as saying.Nampa-APPolice have not confirmed the identity of either suspect.Neither man has been charged.The second suspect was arrested at his home in the red-light district of Ipswich, Sky News reported.Police blocked off part of London Road in Ipswich, while colleagues searched a home believed to be that of the second suspect.A dark blue Ford Mondeo was seen being loaded on a transporter by officers.The naked bodies of Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell, Gemma Adams and Annette Nicholls were found dumped in rural areas of eastern England, around Ipswich, 110 kilometres northeast of London, in a 10-day period beginning December 2.The suspect arrested Monday in Trimley St.Martin, 13 kilometres southeast of Ipswich, has been identified in news reports as Tom Stephens, 37.He had been quoted as telling the Sunday Mirror newspaper that he was innocent, but that he knew all five of the victims and had previously been interviewed by police.”I don’t have alibis for some of the times (of the killings), actually I’m not entirely sure I have tight alibis for any of the times.But I’m not worried about being charged.I’m innocent,” The Sunday Mirror quoted him as saying.Nampa-AP