The Haunting Case of Wearside Jack: A Hoax That Stalled Justice
The chilling saga of Wearside Jack is a grim reminder of how misinformation can derail justice and prolong the suffering of victims and their families.
This case is one of the most notorious hoaxes in British criminal history, and its repercussions were deeply felt, particularly in the hunt for one of the most infamous serial killers of the 20th century—the Yorkshire Ripper.
In this blog post we take a look at the case of Wearside Jack, together with transcripts of the letters and the audio tape he sent to the police and the press.
Background: The Yorkshire Ripper Investigation
During the late 1970s, West Yorkshire, England, was terrorised by a serial killer who became known as the Yorkshire Ripper. Over a period of five years, from 1975 to 1980, the Ripper, later identified as Peter Sutcliffe, brutally murdered 13 women and attempted to kill several others. The police were under immense pressure to capture the perpetrator, and the investigation became one of the largest manhunts in British history.
To read more about the Yorkshire Ripper case, click here.
The investigation was already complicated, the overwhelmed police were dealing with a mountain of evidence and potential leads. However, the case took a dark turn in 1978 when the police received a series of communications that seemed to provide critical clues—but were, in fact, a cruel hoax.
The Emergence of Wearside Jack
In March 1978, West Yorkshire Police received a taunting letter from an individual claiming to be the Yorkshire Ripper. The letter was postmarked as coming from Sunderland, which led to the individual being dubbed “Wearside Jack.”
The letter contained details that convinced the police it could be from the real killer.
The situation escalated when, in June 1979, a cassette tape was sent to the police and the Daily Mirror, in which the man spoke in a thick Wearside accent, again claiming to be the Yorkshire Ripper. The voice on the tape taunted the police, saying, “I’m Jack. I see you are still having no luck catching me.”
George Oldfield and other senior officers were informed by the FBI that the creator of the tape was a blatant hoaxer. The US profiling expert Robert Ressler indicated, in his co-written book, Whoever Fights Monsters, that he contacted them to inform them immediately after he heard the recording.
Despite the expert’s warning, the recording led the police to believe they were probably dealing with a calculated and brazen serial killer, as a result, the search for the real murderer began to veer off course.
The Impact on the Investigation
The Wearside Jack hoax had a devastating impact on the investigation. Convinced that the tape and letters were from the real Yorkshire Ripper, the police focused their efforts on tracking down suspects from the Sunderland area.
This shift in focus caused investigators to overlook other leads, including Peter Sutcliffe, who was eventually arrested in January 1981 for minor offenses before being linked to the murders.
The fixation on Wearside Jack’s false leads diverted much needed police resources away from the real culprit, this directly allowed Sutcliffe to continue his killing spree for an additional 18 months after the tape was received. The hoax not only misled the police but also gave Sutcliffe the opportunity to murder three more women.
The Hunt for the Hoaxer
Despite extensive efforts, the identity of Wearside Jack remained a mystery for over two decades. In 2005, advances in forensic technology finally provided a breakthrough.
DNA from saliva on one of the envelopes holding a hoax letter was matched to a man named John Samuel Humble, who was living in Sunderland.
Humble, a former labourer, was arrested and confessed to the hoax. He revealed that he had been drunk when he sent the letters and tape, claiming he never intended to cause so much harm.
However, his actions had catastrophic consequences. In 2006, Humble was sentenced to eight years in prison for perverting the course of justice.
John Humble died aged 63 years old inside his small flat in the northeast seaside town of South Shields on 30th July, 2019.
The Letters and Audio Transcripts, complete with Humble’s grammatical and spelling errors.
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. Ive been dubbed a maniac by the press but not by you You call me clever and I am. You and your mates havent a clue That photo in the paper gave me fits and that lot about killing myself no chance Ive got things to do,
My purpose to rid the streets of them sluts. my one regret his that young lassie Macdonald 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 of 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 Chief Constable, 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 Mcdonald lassie, I did nt know that she was decent and I am sorry I changed my routine that night, Up to murder 8 now You say but remember Preston 75.
Easy picken them up dont even have to try, you think theyre learn but they dont 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 think of looking for any fingerprints cause there arent any and dont look for me up in Sunderland cause I not stupid just passed through the place not bad place compared with Chapeltown and manningham can’t walk the streets for them whore, Dont forget warn them I feel it coming on again if I get the chance. Sorry about lassie I didn’t know.
Yours respectfully
Jack the Ripper
Might write again after another ones’ gone. Maybe Liverpool or even Manchester again, to hot here in Yorkshire, Bye.
I have given advance warning so its yours and their’s fault.
Letter three
(Sent to George Oldfield. Posted from Sunderland on March 23, 1979)
Dear Officer,
Sorry I havn’t written, about a year to be exact but I havn’t 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 the same hospital before I stopped her whoring ways.
The lady wont worry about hospitals now will she I bet you are wondering how come I hav’nt been to work for ages, well I would have been if it hadnt been for your curserred coppers I had the lady just where I wanted her and was about to strike when one of your cursen police cars stopped right outside the land, he must have been a dumn copper cause he didn’t say anything, he didnt know how close he was to catching me.
Tell you the truth I thought I was collared, the lady said dont worry about coppers, little did she know that bloody copper saved her neck. That was last month, so I don’t know know when I will get back on the job but I know it won t 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.
Transcript of the audio tape
(Sent to George Oldfield. Posted from Sunderland on June 17, 1979)
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 to catching me now than four years ago when I started. I reckon your boys are letting you down, George. Ya can’t be much good, can ya?
The only time they came near catching me was a few months back in Chapeltown when I was disturbed. Even then it was a uniform 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 sure when I will strike again but it will definitely be some time this year, maybe September or October, even soon if I get the chance. I’m not sure where. Maybe Manchester; I like 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 going I should be in the book of records, I think it’s 11 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 clean as a whistle. See you soon. ‘Bye. Hope you like the catchy tune at the end. Ha-ha!
The recording ended with a 22 second segment from the 1978 single “Thank You for Being a Friend” by Andrew Gold, a song that would later go on in the 1980’s to be used as the theme tune on the popular television show, ‘The Golden Girls’.
The Aftermath: Lessons Learned
The Wearside Jack case is a stark reminder of how crucial it is for investigators to remain vigilant against misinformation. The case also highlighted the importance of keeping an open mind and considering all evidence, even when seemingly solid leads emerge.
For the victims’ families, the hoax added an extra layer of pain and frustration, knowing that the killer could have been stopped earlier if not for the misleading evidence. The Wearside Jack tapes remain a chilling footnote in British criminal history, underscoring the devastating impact that a hoax can have on the pursuit of justice.
Conclusion
The Wearside Jack hoax serves as a somber lesson in criminal investigations, demonstrating the dangers of following false leads and the long-lasting effects they can have.
It is a reminder of the profound impact that misinformation can have, not only on a police investigation but also on the lives of countless individuals affected by the crimes that remain unsolved.
The legacy of Wearside Jack is a dark one, forever entwined with the tragic story of the Yorkshire Ripper and the lives of the victims who were lost.
To read more about the Yorkshire Ripper case, click here.
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