AN Ipswich man who knew three of the five victims in the Suffolk serial killings has given an insight into the town's seedy drug and vice underworld.James Hornsby, 33, of Trimley St Mary, told The Evening Star he knew Gemma Adams, Annette Nicholls and Paula Clennell since meeting them on the Ipswich social scene in the mid 1990s.

AN Ipswich man who knew three of the five victims in the Suffolk serial killings has given an insight into the town's seedy drug and vice underworld.

James Hornsby, 33, of Trimley St Mary, told The Evening Star he knew Gemma Adams, Annette Nicholls and Paula Clennell since meeting them on the Ipswich social scene in the mid 1990s.

Mr Hornsby, a former heroin user, said he would often help the girls to get in touch with a drug dealer if they were desperate to score and they would do the same for him.

He said: “More than anything they were friends.

“They were very much part of the social group I had and they will be sorely missed.

“I have been in the music scene for ages as a DJ and Gemma was one of the first people I met.

“I also met Annette and Paula that way.”

Mr Hornsby said he has been clean from drugs for three years but would still see the women around Ipswich and would take time to stop and speak to them.

He said they all worked the streets in a desperate attempt to raise enough cash to buy drugs.

He said: “The drive forward is to squash the pain of having a habit,” he said.

“When you are withdrawing it outweighs any other concern you might have.

“All other concerns go out of the window.”

Mr Hornsby said he did not think the girls would have really analysed the situation they were in because it probably would have pushed them to take more drugs.

He said: “You go out and repress your emotions just by using.

“Unfortunately that's the way that lifestyle is.

“It is a bit grotty and a bit dark but it doesn't detract from the fact they were lovely girls and will be missed by all.

Mr Hornsby said the first he knew of the situation was shortly after Gemma Adams first went missing more than seven weeks ago when he saw her boyfriend Jon Simpson in London Road.

He said: “I was in a car waiting at a set of lights and he came up to me, told me she was missing and asked if I knew anything or had seen her anywhere.

“I mentioned a couple of places she might have gone but the traffic lights went green and I had to disappear.

“My heart goes out to him. I am so gutted by what has happened.

“They will be sorely missed.

“My feelings and sympathy are definitely with all the families.”

n. Did you know the girls? Contact The Evening Star news desk on 01473 324788, email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or post your tribute on www.eveningstar.co.uk