A former regional journalist who covered the Yorkshire Ripper murders has written his debut crime novel.

Steven Wright, who was crime reporter on the Bradford Telegraph & Argus for 13 years, has brought out ‘Transferred Malice’, about a vicious gangster’s lust for revenge on the former detective who sent him to prison.

Steven, 61, worked for regional and national newspapers for nearly 40 years, starting at Sheffield daily The Star, where he spent seven years, and then being based in Bradford for the rest of his career.

His partner Jenny Loweth, who came up with the novel’s title, is the T&A’s current court reporter.

Steven, pictured with his horse Alexander, also introduced an equestrian theme into his book due to his love of the animals.

He told the T&A: “I was able to use my first-hand knowledge of criminals and detectives to make the book as authentic as possible.

“The characters are not based on any one individual, but they, and the plot, are influenced by what I encountered over the years.

“Some of the equestrian bits also have links to my own experiences with my horse, and it would be fair to say there is a bit of my personality in the main character.”

Transferred Malice is available from Amazon Books at £3.75 for the Kindle version and £8.95 in paperback.