After 35 years, killer of ‘Ripper victim’ is unmasked

Fresh DNA evidence from the crime scene has led detectives to firmly

believe that Christopher Smith bludgeoned to death Preston mother-of-two

Joan Harrison.

Serial offender Smith, 60, from Leeds, died in 2008 but the Crown

Prosecution Service said police had gathered sufficient evidence to

charge him with murder if he was still alive.

A three-page note by Smith - penned the day before he died from a

terminal illness - in which he seemingly admitted the murder was also

found at his home which stated “I can’t go on with the guilt’, police

said.

Mrs Harrison’s battered body was found in a disused lock-up garage in

Berwick Road, Avenham, in November 1975. A bite mark was found on her

breast and several items of jewellery were missing including two gold

wedding rings belonging to the twice-married victim.

Two nights earlier she had left her home in Deepdale to head for a drink

in Preston centre.

It is understood Smith did not know his victim and may have come across

her by chance after being released from a prison sentence he had served

in the area.

The connection with Peter Sutcliffe came to light in 1978 - when the

serial killer was still at large - as West Yorkshire Police received the

first of three letters purporting to be from the Ripper.

Signed ‘Jack the Ripper’, it began: “I am sorry I cannot give my name

for obvious reasons.. I am the Ripper” and later added: “Up to number 8

now you say 7 but remember Preston 75, get about a bit you know.”

Following Sutcliffe’s capture and confession, those messages were proved

to be from hoaxer John Humble, known as Wearside Jack.

In 1981 Sutcliffe, from Bradford, was jailed for life for murdering 13

women and attempting to kill seven more, while Humble, from Sunderland,

was jailed for eight years in 2006 for perverting the course of justice.

Detective Chief Superintendent Graham Gardner, head of crime for

Lancashire Constabulary, said: “This has been a long running and complex

homicide inquiry for the Constabulary. Joan lost her life in a most

brutal way and despite the enormous efforts of all those originally

involved, no charges were ever brought.

“Advances in DNA interpretation over the years has finally allowed us to

identify Smith as the man at the scene of Joan’s murder. That fact,

coupled with other evidence we have gathered over recent months, has

been sufficient to convince the Crown Prosecution Service that Smith

would have been charged with her murder, had he been alive today.”

Investigations into Smith’s life have revealed a violent individual with

a string of criminal convictions ranging from assault to theft to sexual

attacks, he said.

Mrs Harrison’s family were being offered support by trained officers.

Mr Gardner added: “It is with some regret that Smith is not still alive

to stand trial for his crime. One can only try to imagine the sadness

endured by Joan’s family over the years and I truly hope this

development will finally bring some closure surrounding their tragic

loss.”

John Dilworth, head of CPS Lancashire and Cumbria Complex Casework Unit,

said: “In considering cases, the CPS has to decide if there is a

realistic prospect of conviction and whether it is in the public

interest for a prosecution to begin. Only after trial does a jury

decide whether a person is guilty or not, on a higher standard of proof

- beyond reasonable doubt.

“I have reviewed the evidence carefully and I have advised Lancashire

Police that this recent development in their investigation has now

revealed evidence that would have been sufficient to prosecute

Christopher Smith, if he were alive. We cannot prejudge the outcome of a

trial. However, had Mr Smith lived, my decision would have authorised

the police to begin the legal process by charging him.

“The CPS agreed to look at the evidence on a deceased suspect because of

the very exceptional circumstances of this case.”

Smith’s confession note, dated January 29, 2008, read: “Two how (sic)

ever it concerns I would like to put the record straight. I can’t go on

with the guilt. I have lived with it for over 20 years.

“I am truly sorry for all the pain I have caused to anyone. Please

believe me when I say I am sorry.

“I love my grand kids and my daughter. I cannot go back to prison

anymore. Please God help my family who I worship. I have been out of

trouble for over twenty years so please Gold help me.

“I am so sorry. God forgive me. I love you all forever.”