A supermarket worker arrested on suspicion of murdering five women told detectives that "he did not want to be seen as another Ian Huntley", a jury heard today.
Tom Stephens, who is in his late 30s, told police that "if it had been me, I would have strangled them", Ipswich Crown Court in Britain was told.
Evidence about Mr Stephens, who was freed without charge after being arrested by detectives, was heard at the trial of Steve Wright, who is accused of murdering the five women, all prostitutes.
Mr Wright (49), denies murdering Gemma Adams (25), Tania Nicol (19), Anneli Alderton (24), Paula Clennell (24), and Annette Nicholls (29).
The remains of the five women, who all worked as prostitutes in Ipswich, were found in isolated spots near the town during a 10-day period in December 2006. Detectives believe all were asphyxiated.
Jurors were told that Mr Stephens was arrested at his home near Felixstowe, Suffolk, on December 18th 2006 - six days after the remains of the fifth woman were found.
Mr Wright's defence team said police had not been able to establish an independent alibi for Mr Stephens on any of the nights on which it is alleged the five women disappeared. He declined to answer police questions about his movements in the week before his arrest and about interviews he gave to journalists, the court heard.
In court today, two people gave evidence that they saw Tania Nicol after she is thought to have encountered Mr Wright. CCTV caught a woman walking towards a dark car in the Ipswich red light area at about 11pm on October 30th 2006.
Mr Wright admits that the image probably shows Miss Nicol approaching his blue Ford Mondeo.
He has told jurors that he picked up Miss Nicol, then dropped her off after changing his mind about having sex. He denies killing her or having anything to do with her disappearance.
Ipswich petrol station cashier Kerry Land today told Ipswich Crown Court she sold a chocolate bar to Ms Nicol "some time after 11.30pm" on October 30th. Jurors heard that the transaction was not captured on the station's CCTV system.
Royal Mail worker Helen Brooks also told jurors that she saw Miss Nicol in the Ipswich red light district talking on a mobile phone at about 3.40am on October 31st. "The person I saw that morning was Tania Nicol," she said. "She was talking to someone on the telephone."
Lawyers today finished presenting evidence at the trial of Mr Wright. Barristers leading the prosecution and defence teams are due to summarise their cases to jurors tomorrow and on Friday.
The judge, Mr Justice Gross, is expected to give directions to jurors next week before they retire to consider their verdict.
PA