The Yorkshire Ripper’s New Victims is a new Channel 5 documentary which tells the story of the potential “unconfirmed” victims of Peter Sutcliffe.
One of the potential victims discussed in the documentary is Fred Craven, whose grandson, Lee Craven, believes he was Peter Sutcliffe’s first victim years before he was convicted of murdering thirteen women.
The documentary will be aired on Channel 5 at 9pm on Thursday 4th March 2021.
Who is Lee Craven on The Yorkshire Ripper’s New Victims?
Lee Craven appears in the new Channel 5 documentary The Yorkshire Ripper’s New Victims, in which he discusses his grandfather’s death, claiming he was killed by Peter Sutcliffe.
Lee Craven’s grandfather, Fred Craven, was killed in an attack at his bookmakers’ shop in Wellington Street, Bingley, on April 22nd, 1966.
The suspect was believed to be a man in his 20s, though no one was ever arrested for the murder. Several years later, Peter Sutcliffe was questioned about Mr Craven’s murder, but he denied any involvement.
Peter Sutcliffe again denied he murdered Mr Craven in a letter written in 2017.
What happened to Fred Craven?
During the documentary, Lee Craven, Fred’s grandson, suggests that Peter Sutcliffe was behind the murder of his grandfather. He said:
“I think this was the first killing and he (Sutcliffe) found he enjoyed it. He had a long run, I’m afraid.”
Lee stated that Peter Sutcliffe “attacked anyone who was vulnerable,” and that his grandfather “was on his own when he was attacked with a blunt instrument.”
He also said that Fred “was assaulted again as he lay on the ground” which “are signature Sutcliffe, all the traits he used in his killing.”