CONVICTED baby-killer Duncan Mills was a member of an Ipswich-based hip hop group back in the 1990s, The Evening Star can reveal.He is also believed to have worked as a DJ at Ipswich nightspots in the past.

CONVICTED baby-killer Duncan Mills was a member of an Ipswich-based hip hop group back in the 1990s, The Evening Star can reveal.

He is also believed to have worked as a DJ at Ipswich nightspots in the past.

Back in the late 1990s the three-piece hip hop group Mills was part of, named Kudos Macabre, were heralded as rising stars of the hip hop scene.

Mills, a rapper for the group, was also known as Crafty D.

The group's debut single - Walk With A Silent Tread - was played on national radio by the likes of Radio 1 DJs Steve Lamacq and Tim Westwood.

Speaking about the track at the time Mills, then 22, said: “Walk with a silent tread. Watch your back. Don't take risks and if you do, prepare to face the consequences.”

Mills also ran a record label - Requiem Mass - with one of the other members of the group. A former friend has described Mills as a “hard worker” and “proud of himself”.

He told the Star he was shocked when he heard of his arrest.

The friend said: “When I saw him in the papers it was quite a shock.

“(At college) he had a wide range of friends, a big peer group. He was a popular guy.

“Through the time that I knew Mr Mills, both socially and professionally, I must say that this accusation is beyond comprehension and character for him.

“I recall the birth of Mr Mills' child some years ago and I remember him being a proud and caring father, so as a result I had found this story as very difficult to take on board.”