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‘End Of Day, End Of Drinking, End Of A Person’ (Press, 26 October 1983)

This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.

Summary: ‘End Of Day, End Of Drinking, End Of A Person’ (Press, 26 October 1983)

Dennis Nilsen, a former probationary policeman, is facing trial for the murders of at least 15 men, according to statements made during proceedings at London’s Old Bailey on 25 October 1983. Nilsen, 37 years old, was arrested after a plumber discovered numerous pieces of human flesh while clearing a blocked drain at his residence in north London. The prosecutor, Mr Allan Green, revealed that Nilsen confessed to the police about the killings over the prior four years at two different addresses in the area. Despite admitting to the overall number of killings, Nilsen has pleaded not guilty to the murders of six identified victims as well as to two charges of attempted murder. He plans to argue for a lesser charge of manslaughter based on diminished responsibility. Nilsen described himself as “emotionally homosexual” and claimed that he did not hate his victims, who included homosexuals and male prostitutes, highlighting that he felt those who needed his help would ultimately become victims. During the trial, Nilsen is said to have stated he adopted a "quasi-God role" in the lives of his victims. He reportedly recounted the draining experience of his first killing in 1978, detailing a scenario where he and the victim had been drinking heavily. Nilsen recounted how he had used a tie to strangle the victim, one of many ties he later mentioned in a chilling context, saying he started off with 15 and now had only a single clip-on left. The remains of his victims, Mr Green articulated, were disposed of using butchery skills acquired during Nilsen's 11 years as an Army cook. He would allegedly hide the remains under floorboards, talk about them as if they were a forgotten burden, and even attempted to destroy evidence by burning the bodies in bonfires. This practice continued when he moved to Muswell Hill, where he tried to boil and flush remains down the toilet. Nilsen’s confessions indicate a disturbing detachment from reality, as he remarked on killings with appalling calmness, suggesting he could simply "meet somebody else" after a murder. His capture followed a series of gruesome events that led to the investigations and eventual police engagement after the plumber discovered evidence at his property. Nilsen's case marks one of the largest mass-murder trials in British history, spotlighting the chilling acts he committed over several years, as he manipulated vulnerable individuals, often engaging them with the promise of companionship and alcohol before leading them to their tragic fates. As the trial progresses, Nilsen's assertion that he wishes to unburden himself of these secrets adds a puzzling layer to a story filled with horror and complexity.

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Publish Date:26th October 1983
URL:https://www.pridenz.com/paperspast_chp19831026_2_66_14.html