THE LETTERS AND TAPE: PART ONE



LETTER ONE:
Sent to George Oldfield.
Posted from Sunderland
on March 8 1978.


Dear Sir

I am sorry I cannot give my name for obvious reasons. I am the Ripper. I've been dubbed a maniac by the Press but not by you, you call me clever and I am. You and your mates haven't a clue that photo in the paper gave me fits and that bit about killing myself, no chance. I've got things to do. My purpose to rid the streets of them sluts. My one regret is that young lassie McDonald, did not know cause changed routine that nite. Up to number 8 now you say 7 but remember Preston '75, get about you know. You were right I travel a bit. You probably look for me in Sunderland, don't bother, I am not daft, just posted letter there on one of my trips. Not a bad place compared with Chapeltown and Manningham and other places. Warn whores to keep off streets cause I feel it coming on again.

Sorry about young lassie.

Yours respectfully

Jack the Ripper

Might write again later I not sure last one really deserved it. Whores getting younger each time. Old slut next time I hope. Huddersfield never again, too small close call last one.




LETTER TWO:
Sent to Daily Mirror.
Posted from Sunderland
on March 13 1978.


Dear Sir

I have already written to Chief Constable George Oldfield "a man I respect" concerning the recent ripper murders. I told him and I am telling you to warn them whores I'll strike again and soon when heat cools off. About the MacDonald lassie, I didn't know that she was decent and I am sorry I changed my routine that night. Up to murder 8 now you say seven but remember Preston '75. Easy picking them up don't even have to try you think they're learn but they don't. Most are young lassies, next time try older one I hope. Police haven't a clue yet and I don't leave any I am very clever and don't look for me up there in Sunderland cause I not stupid just passed through the place not a bad place compared with Chapeltown and Manningham. Can't walk the streets for them whores. Don't forget warn them I feel it coming on again. If I get chance sorry about lassie I didn't know.

Yours respectfully

Jack the Ripper

Might write again after another week gone maybe Liverpool or even Manchester again. To hot here in Yorkshire. Bye. I have given advance warning so its yours and their fault.




LETTER THREE:
Sent to George Oldfield.
Dated March 23 1979.
Posted from Sunderland.


Dear Officer

Sorry I havn't written, about a year to be exact, but I hav'nt been up north for quite a while. I was'nt kidding last time I wrote saying the whore would be older this time and maybe I'd strike in Manchester for a change, you should have took heed. That bit about her being in hospital, funny the lady mentioned something about being in hospital before I stopped her whoring ways. The lady won't worry about hospitals now will she. I bet you be wondering how come I hav'nt been to work for ages, well I would have been if it hadnt been for your cursered coppers I had the lady just where I wanted her and was about to strike when one of you cursing police cars stopped right outside the lane, he must have been a dumb copper cause he didnt say anything, he didnt know how close he was to catching me. Tell you the truth I thought I was collared, the lady said don't worry about the coppers, little did she know that bloody copper saved her neck. That was last month, so I don't know when I will get back on the job but I know it wont be Chapeltown too bloody hot there maybe Bradfords Manningham. Might write again if up north.

Jack the Ripper

PS Did you get letter I sent to Daily Mirror in Manchester.




THE TAPE:
Sent to George Oldfield.
Posted from Sunderland
on June 17 1979.

PLAY TAPE (wav file)

(A complete version of the tape
can be heard at: Jack Windsor
Lewis' website: Hoax Tape)

I'm Jack. I see you are still having no luck catching me. I have the greatest respect for you, George, but Lord, you are no nearer catching me now than four years ago when I started. I reckon your boys are lettin' you down, George. They can't be much good, can they? The only time they came near catching me was a few months back in Chapeltown, when I was disturbed. Even then it was a uniformed copper, not a detective.

I warned you in March that I'd strike again. Sorry it wasn't Bradford. I did promise you that, but I couldn't get there. I'm not quite sure when I'll strike again, but it will definitely be sometime this year, maybe September, October or even sooner if I get the chance. I'm not sure where, maybe Manchester; I like it there, there's plenty of them knocking about. They never learn, do they, George? I bet you've warned them. But they never listen.

At the rate I'm goin', I should be in the book of records. I think it's eleven up to now, isn't it? Well, I'll keep on going for quite a while yet. I can't see myself being nicked just yet. Even if you do get near, I'll probably top myself first.

Well, it's been nice chatting to you, George.

Yours, Jack the Ripper.

No good looking for fingerprints, you should know by now it's as clean as a whistle. See you soon. 'Bye. Hope you like the catchy tune at the end. Ha-ha.

(This was followed by 22 seconds of the song "Thank You For Being A Friend" by Andrew Gold.)



(NOTE: Source material (details): Yallop. Source material (photos): Beattie (envelopes), Northern Echo (letters).)



THE LETTERS AND TAPE: PART TWO

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