# Peter Sutcliffe

> English serial killer (1946-2020)

**Wikidata**: [Q523020](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q523020)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Sutcliffe)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peter-sutcliffe

## Summary
Peter Sutcliffe, also known as the Yorkshire Ripper, was a British serial killer responsible for the murders of 13 women and the attempted murder of seven others between 1975 and 1980. He was apprehended in January 1981 and sentenced to 20 concurrent life sentences.

## Biography
- Born: June 2, 1946
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Education: Unknown
- Known for: Being one of Britain's most notorious serial killers
- Employer(s): Unknown
- Field(s): Criminal activity

## Contributions
Peter Sutcliffe is not known for any constructive contributions. His actions were criminal in nature, resulting in the deaths and assaults of multiple individuals. He was responsible for:
- The murder of 13 women between 1975 and 1980
- The attempted murder of 7 women during the same period
- Creating a climate of fear in Northern England, leading to one of the largest manhunts in British history

## FAQs
**What is Peter Sutcliffe known for?**
Peter Sutcliffe is known for being a British serial killer who murdered 13 women and attempted to murder 7 others between 1975 and 1980. He became known as the "Yorkshire Ripper" due to his brutal attacks on women in Northern England.

**When was Peter Sutcliffe caught?**
Peter Sutcliffe was arrested on January 2, 1981, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, following a routine police check. He was found with false number plates on his vehicle and taken in for questioning, which led to his identification as the Yorkshire Ripper.

**What was Peter Sutcliffe's sentence?**
He was sentenced to 20 concurrent life sentences in May 1981 after pleading guilty to 13 counts of murder and 7 counts of attempted murder.

**How did Peter Sutcliffe die?**
Peter Sutcliffe died on November 13, 2020, at the age of 74, while being treated for coronavirus-related complications at the University of Oxford's NHS Treatment Centre in Maghull, Liverpool. He had been transferred from Frankland Prison for medical treatment.

**What aliases was Peter Sutcliffe known by?**
He was also known by the aliases "Yorkshire Ripper" and "Peter Coonan."

## Why They Matter
Peter Sutcliffe's actions had a profound impact on British society and law enforcement. His crimes:
- Led to one of the largest manhunts in British history, involving over 2.5 million hours of police work
- Prompted changes in police investigative techniques, including the use of computer databases and forensic science
- Influenced public safety policies and the way serial crimes are handled by authorities
- Created a lasting cultural memory, with his case studied in criminology and true crime literature

## Notable For
- Being the perpetrator of 13 murders and 7 attempted murders between 1975 and 1980
- Being known as the "Yorkshire Ripper"
- Being sentenced to 20 concurrent life sentences
- Being arrested in a routine police check in January 1981
- Dying from coronavirus-related complications in November 2020

## Body
### Early Life and Identity
Peter William Sutcliffe was born on June 2, 1946. He was a British national and held citizenship in the United Kingdom. His occupation prior to his arrest is not specified in the source material, though he was known to have worked as a truck driver.

### Criminal Activity
Between 1975 and 1980, Sutcliffe committed a series of violent crimes that shocked the United Kingdom:
- He murdered 13 women, primarily targeting prostitutes and women perceived to be vulnerable
- He attempted to murder 7 others, leaving them severely injured
- His attacks were characterized by extreme brutality, often involving blunt force trauma and, in some cases, sexual assault

### Apprehension and Trial
Sutcliffe was arrested on January 2, 1981, in Bradford, West Yorkshire. A routine police check revealed false number plates on his vehicle, which led to his identification as the Yorkshire Ripper. He was subsequently charged and tried for his crimes:
- In May 1981, he pleaded guilty to 13 counts of murder and 7 counts of attempted murder
- He was sentenced to 20 concurrent life sentences, ensuring he would remain imprisoned for life

### Imprisonment and Death
Peter Sutcliffe spent nearly four decades in prison:
- He was incarcerated at various facilities, including Broadmoor and later Frankland Prison
- In November 2020, he was transferred to the University of Oxford's NHS Treatment Centre in Maghull, Liverpool, for medical treatment related to coronavirus complications
- He died on November 13, 2020, at the age of 74, while under medical supervision

### Cultural and Legal Impact
The crimes of Peter Sutcliffe had a significant impact on British society:
- The case prompted a massive police investigation, one of the largest in British history, involving over 2.5 million hours of police time
- It led to advancements in forensic techniques and investigative procedures
- The case remains a subject of study in criminology and true crime, symbolizing the dangers of serial offenders and the importance of coordinated law enforcement responses

### Aliases and Public Identity
Peter Sutcliffe was known by several aliases:
- "Yorkshire Ripper" – the name given to him by the media and public due to his crimes in Yorkshire
- "Peter Coonan" – an alias used during his criminal activities

### Legacy
Peter Sutcliffe's legacy is one of infamy:
- His case is frequently cited in discussions about serial crime and law enforcement history
- It has been the subject of numerous documentaries, books, and television programs
- His crimes prompted long-term changes in how police handle serial offenses and public safety alerts

## References

1. [Source](https://books.google.com/books?id=H7_QBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT210)
2. [Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe dies. BBC News Online. 2020](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-54874713)
3. [Source](https://news.sky.com/story/yorkshire-ripper-serial-killer-peter-sutcliffe-has-died-sky-news-understands-12131042)
4. [Peter Sutcliffe, Yorkshire Ripper, dies aged 74. TheGuardian.com. 2020](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/13/yorkshire-ripper-peter-sutcliffe-dies-aged-74)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Source](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/13/yorkshire-ripper-peter-sutcliffe-dies-aged-74)
8. BBC Things