Peter Sutcliffe

Mug shot of Sutcliffe taken after his arrest in January 1981

Peter William Sutcliffe (2 June 1946 – 13 November 2020), also known as the Yorkshire Ripper, was an English serial killer who was convicted of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others between 1975 and 1980. His crimes occurred across West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, leading to one of the largest and most extensive manhunts in British history.

Early Life

Peter Sutcliffe was born in Bingley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. He was the son of John William Sutcliffe and Kathleen Frances Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe left school at the age of 15 and held various jobs, including working as a gravedigger and a lorry driver.

Crimes

Sutcliffe's first documented assault was in 1969, but his series of murders began in 1975. His victims were predominantly prostitutes, although not exclusively. The modus operandi involved bludgeoning the victims with a hammer and then stabbing them with a knife or screwdriver. The brutality and nature of the attacks led to widespread fear and panic.

Investigation

The investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper was one of the most extensive in British history. The West Yorkshire Police were heavily criticized for their handling of the case, particularly for their reliance on a hoax tape and letters purportedly from the killer, which diverted resources and attention away from Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe was interviewed nine times during the investigation but was not arrested until January 1981.

Arrest and Trial

Peter Sutcliffe was arrested on 2 January 1981, when police discovered he had false number plates on his car. During questioning, he confessed to being the Yorkshire Ripper. He was charged with 13 counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. In May 1981, Sutcliffe was found guilty and sentenced to 20 concurrent life sentences. He was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and transferred to Broadmoor Hospital.

Imprisonment and Death

Sutcliffe spent the majority of his sentence at Broadmoor Hospital before being transferred to HM Prison Frankland in 2016. He died on 13 November 2020 at the age of 74 from complications related to COVID-19.

Legacy

The case of Peter Sutcliffe had a profound impact on British society and policing. It led to changes in how police handle serial murder investigations and the treatment of women in society. The case remains a significant part of British criminal history.

Related Pages

• Serial killer
• West Yorkshire Police
• Broadmoor Hospital
• HM Prison Frankland
• Paranoid schizophrenia
• COVID-19