The man accused of murdering five prostitutes in Ipswich, Suffolk has appeared in front of the court this morning.

Steve Wright, 49, a forklift driver, is accused of killing Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton,24, Paula Clennell, 24 and Annette Nicholls, 29, whose naked bodies were discovered dumped around the eastern town of Ipswich, Suffolk, during a 10-day period in December 2006.

He pleaded not guilty to the five murder charges at a hearing at Ipswich crown court in May last year.

Wright was caught at his home in Ipswich town centre on December 19, 2006, after one of the biggest manhunts in British criminal history and charged two days later.

The first prostitutes who was declared missing was Nicol, who disappeared October 30 2006. Her body was discovered in a pond at Copdock, near Ipswich on December 8.

Gemma Adams was declared missing by her partner on November 15. Her naked body was discovered in a stream at Hintlesham to the west of Ipswich on December 2.

Anneli Alderton was found asphyxiated on December 10. According to the Suffolk Police, she had been three months pregnant.

Annette Nicholls was last seen by her family on December 3 or 4, but was reported missing only after the publicity over he murders of Adams and Nicole. Her naked body was discovered near Levington, not far from Nacton on December 12.

Paula Clennell was reported missing on December 11 and her naked body was found on December 12 near Levington, presenting signs of strangulation on her neck.

Wright arrived at Ipswich crown court in a prison van flanked by police vehicles at 9:10 a.m. He was wearing a black suit with a white shirt and dark-colored tie, sitting with his leg crossed during his 30-minute appearance. He only spoke to confirm his name during the hearing.

Wright’s trial is expected to last for six weeks.