Peter Sutcliffe

Peter Sutcliffe (born June 2, 1946), infamous as the "Yorkshire Ripper", was convicted in 1981 of the murders of thirteen women and attacks on seven more from 1975 to 1980.

Prison

He began his sentence at Parkhurst prison. Despite being found sane at his trial, he was soon diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia. Attempts to send him to a secure psychiatric unit were initially blocked. During his time at Parkhurst he was seriously assaulted. His wife Sonia obtained a separation from him in 1982 and a final divorce in 1994; she then went on to contest and win nine libel cases against various publications. In 1984 he was finally sent to Broadmoor hospital. In an attack by a fellow inmate in 1997, his eyesight was severely damaged, and his attacker was charged with attempted murder.

Related Topics:
Parkhurst - Schizophrenia - Broadmoor hospital

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Despite being given a whole life tariff by successive Home Secretaries, Sutcliffe could still be released from custody if the parole board decides that he is no longer a danger to the public. He was originally sentenced to a minimum of 30 years, so he could be released from prison in 2011 (at the age of 65) because the system under which his tariff was increased has since been declared illegal by the European Court of Human Rights and also the High Court. The main point of conflict is that Sutcliffe's (and other lifers) continued detention is presently controlled by a politician (The Home Secretary) rather than a member of the judiciary.

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On 17 January, 2005, Sutcliffe was allowed to visit the site of his father's ashes, who had died from cancer the year before. The decision to allow the temporary release was initiated by David Blunkett and later ratified by Charles Clarke when he took over the role as Home Secretary. Sutcliffe was accompanied by four members of the prison staff. Despite the passage of twenty five years since the Ripper murders, Sutcliffe's visit was still the focus of front-page tabloid headlines .

Related Topics:
17 January - 2005 - Cancer - David Blunkett - Charles Clarke - Home Secretary

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• The Sun, 21st January 2005