The Ruth Ellis Files: A Very British Crime Story

Justice charts the arrest, trial and conviction of Peter Sutcliffe, and the legacy for the relatives of his victims and the survivors of his attacks.

Speaking to one of Sutcliffe's defence team, a leading barrister from the prosecution, and journalists who covered the trial, this episode traces the story from moment of arrest. Witnesses were offered money for exclusives - potentially jeopardising the trial - long queues formed for the public gallery and front row seats in court were given to VIPs. Shockingly, the women Sutcliffe attacked were once more classed as either prostitutes or 'innocent victims'.

After the trial a catalogue of errors are revealed, revealing how the police's original theory about a ‘prostitute killer' took them in the wrong direction right from the start. Going back to survivors and relatives of Sutcliffe's victims, the film explores the legacy left behind by his crimes - and what it has been like to live as the child of a Ripper murder victim.