Detectives may never know whether more than one person was involved in the murders of five prostitutes in Suffolk, a jury was told today.

Peter Wright, QC, for the prosecution, said police could not exclude the possibility that “another or others” may have played a part in the murders of the women, in the run up to Christmas 2006.

And he said that one particular individual - Tom Stephens, a supermarket worker - could not be eliminated.

Mr Wright was making his closing speech at Ipswich Crown Court during the trial of Steve Wright, a former forklift-truck driver, accused of murdering the women.

Mr Wright, 49, of Ipswich, Suffolk, denies murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24 and Annette Nicholls, 29.

All prostitutes who worked in the red light area of Ipswich, their naked bodies were found at remote locations near the town between December 2 and December 12, 2006.

Prosecutors say that Mr Wright's DNA was found on three of the women's bodies and forensic evidence from his clothes, home or car links him to all five.

The prosecutor said that others may also have been involved, either in the disappearance, the murder or the disposal of the women. “Was more than one person involved?” Peter Wright asked the jury of nine men and three women.

“We say the answer is simple. We may never know. No one saw the crimes being committed. The offences may be the work of one man but we cannot exclude the possibility that another or others may have had a hand in each of these deaths.”

Mr Wright said Steve Wright's legal team had “raised the spectre of Tom Stephens”.

Jurors have heard that Mr Stephens, who lives near Felixstowe, Suffolk, was arrested on suspicion of murder but released without charge.

They have been told that he had sex with all the victims and was concerned that he may be seen as “another Ian Huntley” - the school caretaker convicted of murdering 10-year-old friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in 2002.

“We, on behalf of the Crown, cannot eliminate him [Mr Stephens] from possible involvement,” said Mr Wright. “There is no evidence that provides him with an independent verifiable alibi that would conclusively rule him out.”

Scientists had found no traces of Mr Stephens's DNA on any of the women's bodies and forensic searches of his home did not produce sufficient evidence to charge him with any offence, the court was told.

“Mere suspicions in respect of Tom Stephens cannot be converted into evidence,” Mr Wright said

Steve Wright was the one “common denominator” in the case.

The trial continues.

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