Convicting the Yorkshire Ripper: The Trial of Peter Sutcliffe

Finally for the first time in over 40 years, the shocking true story behind the trial of most infamous serial killer in British criminal history comes to light. In the mid-1970s, Peter Sutcliffe, aka The Yorkshire Ripper began a reign of terror across the North of England lasting five years, with 13 women brutally murdered and resulting in the largest criminal manhunt in British history. His trial in 1981, the unfolding of a real-life horror story, attracted vast crowds from across the world, with every newspaper in the country sending journalists to cover what was dubbed the trial of the century. For two weeks, both prosecution and defence found themselves embroiled in a shocking and unexpected turn of events when Sutcliffe entered a plea of insanity. What followed was an intense showdown between the psychiatrists and the prosecution as eyewitnesses who knew Sutcliffe best, medical experts and serving police officers all took the stand to answer the big question; Was Peter Sutcliffe suffering from diminished responsibility? Or was he a cold and calculating killer? The real story of what went on behind the scenes in the court room of the Old Bailey over those intense two weeks, has never been revealed until now! Using ground-breaking new research, never before seen images, original court transcripts, police reports, and eyewitness testimony, the author takes the reader on a step-by-step account of the court room drama, presenting the truth about what actually happened, and finally reveals just how close the Yorkshire Ripper came to getting away with murder. AUTHOR: Richard C Cobb is a crime historian and regarded as one the UK's leading experts on the Yorkshire Ripper murders. He is also founder of the Dagger Club which gathers together true crime experts for research projects, social occasions, conferences and events. Richard also runs several walking tours in and around London, providing award-winning tours on crime subjects such as Jack the Ripper and the Kray twins, as well as cultural history tours of Spitalfields and Brick Lane. Originally from Ireland, Richard works in London and resides with his family in Bradford, West Yorkshire. 32 b/w illustrations