New evidence that could link an unsolved murder to the infamous Ripper hoaxer could be investigated by the police after a Sunderland Echo investigation was showcased on TV.

News editor Patrick Lavelle says police in the North East and West Yorkshire have dismissed the potential evidence as “mere information and suspicion”.

He believes the findings could lead officers to “Wearside Jack”, whose identity has never been uncovered, as well as pointing police to the murderer of a 26-year-old mum.

But a lack of interest from the authorities is forcing him to ask if police really want to solve these old crimes.

Patrick, who took a degree in criminology, wrote in the Echo: “The hoax was 20 years ago and the murder dates back to November 1975.

“Does there come a time when serious crimes committed so long ago are not worth actively pursuing?

“Is the Echo’s evidence really worthy of further police investigation, or is it, – as police assert ‘mere information’?”

Viewers in the north east saw a documentary revealing police “indifference” to the new findings.

The Tyne Tees programme, Hoaxer II, which could be shown shortly in other regions, also looked at all the evidence obtained by the Echo, profiled five suspects of the Ripper hoax call from June, 1979, and any links to the woman’s murder in 1975.

One of the five men is linked with both crimes in ten ways.

Patrick’s investigation has won support from local MP Fraser Kemp, a criminal profiler at Teeside University Karl Roberts, and Home Office adviser Lord Brian Mackenzie.

The Echo’s investigation has also given police a potential link – or the chance to rule out a link – between the five suspects and Wearside Jack, who posted three letters and an audio tape in Sunderland, claiming to be the Yorkshire Ripper.

The paper obtained handwriting samples in envelopes sealed by the five suspects. These could contain DNA samples for the police, who already have envelopes sealed by “Jack” in his hoax letters 21 years ago. The DNA samples could also provide clues to the woman’s murder.

Patrick told HoldTheFrontPage: “There has been a public response to the programme with people calling in to nominate further names, though none of them tally with names already given.

“I am surprised by the police reaction and lack of action.

“The experts I am working with believe the information I have managed to obtain is worth looking at even if it is just for a process of elimination.”

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