Regarding the recent Jack The Ripper letters, it seems Roy Branden, Peter Garrett and myself all believe he may have been a nonentity but, failing all else, the Ripper industry gave him "class", as suggested by Mr Garrett.

The Royal Family was tainted with the Duke of Clarence and Sir William Gull in the rogues' gallery. When the killings suddenly stopped, any notable person who conveniently disappeared, committed suicide or went into an asylum just then became an obvious suspect - and the subject of another book.

It should be remembered that at least two of the letters purporting to be by the Ripper himself and sent to the Press at the time appear to be genuine because they contain knowledge it seems only the killer could have had. They could be the work of an intelligent man, feigning ignorance with his spelling.

Simon Smith (Letters, December 29) asked "Who cares?". It is not the squalidity of the crimes that appeals but the sheer mystery of the case. After all, he fell for it himself.

-Richard Halfpenny, New Road, Rustington