THE Yorkshire Ripper’s little-known resting place is understood to be an idyllic seaside resort just yards from the very streets he once walked.
The quaint village of Arnside boasts stunning views of the Lake District and Morecambe Bay and attracts thousands of tourists each summer.
NB PRESS LTDThe picturesque village of Arnside in Cumbria is a popular tourist hotspot[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDBut many locals and day trippers are unaware of its dark secret[/caption]
RexMonster Peter Sutcliffe earned the nickname ‘The Yorkshire Ripper’[/caption]
Ian WhittakerOne of the final photos of Sutcliffe attending a hospital appointment, five years before his death[/caption]
But the idyllic Cumbrian coastal resort hides a dark secret.
The picturesque village is understood to be the final resting place of notorious serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, or as he is more famously known – the Yorkshire Ripper.
Arnside held a special place in killer Sutcliffe’s heart and it was there that some of his ashes were scattered in 2020 after he died, aged 74, from Covid, according to his niece.
However, few holidaymakers at the picture postcard seaside town are aware of this macabre detail.
Clifford Ashton, 68, and Carole McGranaghan, 69, were sitting on Arnside Pier enjoying the sunshine and views, blissfully ignorant the spot was also the last place Sutcliffe enjoyed a taste of freedom.
Sutcliffe, accompanied by four nurses in a high-security van was allowed out of Broadmoor to visit Arnside, the site of his father John’s ashes in January 2005, much to the fury of his victim’s families.
His dad’s ashes had been scattered from Arnside Pier the previous year following his death from cancer.
As a young man Sutcliffe and his family used to holiday in the resort, staying in a caravan owned by his uncle.
And his niece has admitted that some of her evil Uncle Peter’s remains were also scattered at Arnside, like her grandfather’s.
She said: “I was taken there once or twice when I was a child. It is lovely. That area means a lot to the whole family. We had family living in the area at the time and would visit them.”
Visitor Clifford, from Barnoldswick, Lancashire, exclusively told The Sun: “I can see why Arnside does not boast about the Ripper link.
“We come here once a month and it is gorgeous.
“There is a lovely walk on the beach, but it’s not a pleasant thought to think Sutcliffe, who killed not far from where I live, is around the place.”
Carole, from Burnley, said: “We are day trippers and it is a bit of a shock that Peter Sutcliffe loved Arnside and is scattered here.”
Likewise, Arnside tourists Mike and Linda Stevens, from Oldham, had no idea the killer was scattered at the beauty spot where they were celebrating Linda’s 64th birthday.
“His ashes should have been put in a bin, rather than scattered in this beautiful place. Im sure many people would agree with me,” said 66-year-old Mike.
“I’m surprised a killer was allowed a request like been scattered here.
Linda added: “It is so scenic around here and we’ve been here a few times, but hadn’t a clue about the Ripper being here.
“At least there’s not a plaque here for him or any memorial.”
GettyPeter Sutcliffe, pictured on his wedding day in 1974, the year before his first attack[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDSue Edlington and Joe McFadden were shocked to learn of Sutcliffe’s history in the area[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDMike and Linda Stevens had no idea the killer was partially scattered at the beauty spot where they were celebrating Linda’s 64th birthday[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDClifford Ashton and Carole McGranaghan were blissfully ignorant the spot was also the last place Sutcliffe enjoyed freedom[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDArnside is a picturesque beauty spot which is hiding a dark secret[/caption]
Sutcliffe was jailed for life in May 1981 at the Old Bailey.
Between 1975 and 1981 he murdered 13 women and seven others were left for dead in a killing spree which terrorised the north of England.
Cyclists Sue Edlington, 71, and Jo McFadden, 68, paused in Arnside with fellow riders from the Grange University of the Third Age cycling club to rest their legs.
‘EVIL MAN’
Despite living just across the estuary they did not know the Ripper’s ashes were scattered in Arnside.
Sue said: “I would rather not know. I would rather his niece had never opened her mouth.
“It is such a beautiful place and I don’t ever want to think about him when I am cycling through or walking through.
“But, on the other hand, I love the place so much that it won’t effect me.”
Jo said: “I’m quite shocked that it was allowed because he was an evil man.
“As an evil person he should not have been given the opportunity to visit here from jail.”
Gareth Mayoh, 51, from Darwen, Lancashire, said: “You don’t find this sort of thing in the tour guide.
“It doesn’t bother me though, they are just ashes. A memorial would be a bit much though.”
News Group Newspapers LtdJohn Sutcliffe, the father of Peter Sutcliffe, The Yorkshire Ripper, whom he described as a ‘womaniser’[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDGareth Mayoh said a memorial would be too much[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDVisitors to Arnside are unaware of its dark past[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDEyewitnesses saw Sutcliffe spreading his dads ashes in 2005 from a small pier[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDThe beautiful village attracts numerous tourists throughout the year[/caption]
Who are the UK’s worst serial killers?
THE UK’s most prolific serial killer was actually a doctor.
Here’s a rundown of the worst offenders in the UK.
British GP Harold Shipman is one of the most prolific serial killers in recorded history. He was found guilty of murdering 15 patients in 2000, but the Shipman Inquiry examined his crimes and identified 218 victims, 80 per cent of whom were elderly women.
After his death Jonathan Balls was accused of poisoning at least 22 people between 1824 and 1845.
Mary Ann Cotton is suspected of murdering up to 21 people, including husbands, lovers and children. She is Britain’s most prolific female serial killer. Her crimes were committed between 1852 and 1872, and she was hanged in March 1873.
Amelia Sach and Annie Walters became known as the Finchley Baby Farmers after killing at least 20 babies between 1900 and 1902. The pair became the first women to be hanged at Holloway Prison on February 3, 1903.
William Burke and William Hare killed 16 people and sold their bodies.
Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe was found guilty in 1981 of murdering 13 women and attempting to kill seven others between 1975 and 1980.
Dennis Nilsen was caged for life in 1983 after murdering up to 15 men when he picked them up from the streets. He was found guilty of six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder and was sentenced to life in jail.
Fred West was found guilty of killing 12 but it’s believed he was responsible for many more deaths.
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