June 1979. The tape recorded by the man known as ‘Wearside Jack’ is played to the Yorkshire Ripper team.

‘I could feel the hairs standing up on the back of my neck’ says Chris Gregg - a detective constable at the time - as the chilling Sunderland accent fills the room.

The inquiry pivots.

Unbeknown to lead detective George Oldfield, the lines of inquiry have already got the serial killer in the net. ‘But there was a hole in the net’ says Chris.

Three separate investigative strategies have highlighted the name ‘Peter Sutcliffe’ - a lorry driver with a Yorkshire accent - to the Ripper team.

He is interviewed nine times.

Why is he discounted?

While six more women are attacked - three are murdered - the inquiry is looking for a man with a Sunderland voice.

Then, in January 1981, things change.

This episode is part 2 of 3. Written, presented and produced by Robert Murphy. To watch video clips with Chris, to see evidence from the case or to learn more, go to: https://robertmurphy.substack.com/about

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