E-mail this to a friendPolice officer wins libel damages over Yorkshire Ripper case
Published 01/04/2008
A West Yorkshire police officer has won £50,000 in libel damages after it was claimed that Wearside Jack - a hoaxer who pretended to be Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe - was set up.
Noel O'Gara made the claim in a letter, an email and through four web-based publications, alleging that Det Ch Supt Chris Gregg framed John Humble, who went to prison two years ago after confessing to sending a tape and hoax letters purporting to be from Sutcliffe.
Among O'Gara's claims were allegations that Det Ch Supt Gregg questioned Humble while the latter was drunk, blackmailed him and tampered with DNA-related evidence.
Sutcliffe was convicted of the murders of 13 women and attacks on several more in 1981.
"I have no doubt that these were extremely serious libels on a senior serving police officer," Justice King said at London's High Court.
For more information, contact our Media and Libel department. Or email enquiries@rjw.co.uk
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