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How one journalist kept on the trail of 'Wearside Jack'

The jailing of ‘Wearside Jack’ hoaxer John Humble for eight years marks the end of a long investigation for former Sunderland Echo journalist Patrick Lavelle.

He remained a thorn in the side of Yorkshire detectives, refusing to give up on the search for a man who claimed he was the Yorkshire Ripper, with his tapes diverting detectives from their real quarry, Peter Sutcliffe.

In 1998, as the 20th anniversary of the hoaxer’s first letter approached, Echo journalist Patrick (pictured) started digging for the truth – and a few paragraphs asking readers for their memories of the investigation saw him deluged by calls and letters about the case.

He said: “It became clear this was unfinished business as far as many Sunderland people were concerned and they wanted to see a resolution.

“My personal view is that the Echo’s hunt for ‘Wearside Jack’ was pivotal to the whole police inquiry being re-opened. The publicity surrounding the story was damaging and West Yorkshire Police had to act.”

Suspicion still hung over Castletown and Sunderland clearly had not forgotten so the then news editor launched the paper’s quest to bring ‘Jack’ to justice.

Patrick became the leading authority on ‘Wearside Jack’ and for years the Echo was responsible for keeping the police on their toes and helping them refocus their effort on solving the mystery.

Click here to read his account of the investigation.

Patrick said: “I am pleased the hoaxer has now been identified. One of the biggest mysteries Sunderland has ever known has now been resolved.

“The shadow of the Ripper that has hung over Sunderland for 27 years has now finally been lifted.”

As the trial neared conclusion, the Echo prepared seven pages of background to slot in and the last edition on Monday was held back to accommodate the news. The story has run through the week, with another four pages last night.

Editor Rob Lawson said: “This has remained an issue in Sunderland and particularly in the area that ‘Wearside Jack’ was alleged to be from. It’s been a black mark over Castletown because of course he was not from there.

“There’s some relief in the city that it is now all over with.”

Publicity generated by Patrick’s discovery that police had lost the original evidence led to a scientist returning the envelope, licked by Humble, to West Yorkshire Police.

Technology became available to check the gum on the original letters for DNA, the hunt narrowed.

It was tested, and the results passed through the national DNA database, and the police had their man.