It has been announced this morning that the serial killer – known as the Yorkshire Ripper – has died after contracting coronavirus (COVID-19)and reportedly refusing treatment.
Peter Sutcliffe, 74, was one of the UK’s most notorious prisoners, having murdered at least 13 women across the north of England in the late 1970s, and was jailed for 20 concurrent sentences of life imprisonment back in 1981, before having his prison term increased to a whole life sentence in 2010.
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed Mr Sutcliffe died at University Hospital of North Durham, three miles from where he was an inmate at HMP Frankland in County Durham.
But, on the day of his death, we want to take a moment to remember and shine an important light on the 13 victims who tragically lost their lives between 1975 and 1980.
While we have chosen not to disclose any detailed information regarding the nature of their deaths out of respect for the victims’ families, we want to express our condolences and ensure that each of their names will always live on in memory.
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May they rest in eternal peace.
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Wilma McCann
28, Leeds – October 1975
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Emily Jackson
42, Leeds – January 1976
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Irene Richardson
28, Leeds – February 1977
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Patricia Atkinson
32, Bradford – April 1977
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Jayne McDonald
16, Leeds – June 1977
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Jean Jordan
21, Manchester – October 1977
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Yvonne Pearson
22, Bradford – January 1978
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Helen Rytka
18, Huddersfield – January 1978
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Vera Millward
41, Manchester – May 1978
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Josephine Whitaker
19, Halifax – May 1979
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Barbara Leach
20, Bradford – September 1979
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Marguerite Walls
47, Leeds – August 1980
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Jacqueline Hill
20, Leeds – November 1980
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
13th November 2020 
