Fibres 'link Wright to five women'

Tiny fragments matching samples taken from Steve Wright's clothing, car and home were lifted from each of the women, jurors were told. Forensic expert Ray Palmer said such a series of finds "would not occur by chance".

Wright, 49, of Ipswich, Suffolk, denies murdering Anneli Alderton, 24, Annette Nicholls, 29, Paula Clennell, 24, Gemma Adams, 25 and Tania Nicol, 19. Their bodies were found dumped in remote spots around Ipswich over a 10 day period in December 2006.

Mr Palmer, a prosecution witness, said fibres linked to the Tesco tracksuit bottoms worn by Wright when he was arrested were found on the bodies of Miss Alderton, Miss Nicholls, Miss Clennell and Miss Nicol.

Red acrylic fragments from the back seat and parcel shelf of Wright's Ford Mondeo were "indistinguishable" from microscopic material found on the bodies of Miss Alderton, Miss Clennell and Miss Adams, he said. Jurors heard there was evidence that Miss Nicol had been in "forceful and sustained" contact with the carpet of Wright's car.

Mr Palmer said a single black nylon fibre - matching the carpet material in Wright's car - was found embedded in her hair. In each case, Mr Palmer said it was likely only a "remnant" of the total number of fibres initially transferred to the bodies remained by the time they were discovered.

This was particularly true in relation to Miss Nicol and Miss Adams, whose bodies were found in a brook, he said. Mr Palmer said the majority of material would have been washed off the bodies as a result of being exposed to the elements.

Ipswich Crown Court heard the fibres found on the murdered women suggested they had been in contact with Wright shortly before their naked bodies were dumped. Mr Palmer said: "All of these women were stripped prior to their deposition, which means, in my opinion, the fibres were transferred at that point in time or around that time." He said the discovery of so many fibres linked to Wright was not a coincidence.

Cross examining, defence barrister Timothy Langdale, QC suggested to Mr Palmer that only a small proportion of the "hundreds" of fibres found on the bodies were linked to Wright. Mr Palmer agreed.

Mr Langdale said the other pieces of material could have come from different clients of the prostitutes.