DAVID COATES speaks to the mayor's consort about his life before politics and more than a quarter-of-a-century in the police force.

It is one of the most famous pieces of footage in British criminal history.

Chief Constable George Oldfield, the head of the Yorkshire Ripper investigation team, listens intently to a tape recorder surrounded by police officers and reporters.

"I'm Jack," says the North East drawl on the tape before claiming to be one of the country's most notorious murderers – and the man who killed Preston prostitute Joan Harrison in a gruesome slaying.

But, just out of shot, stands a young Norman Abram, then a sergeant with Preston police, listening intently to the man who would later become known as Wearside Jack – later identified as John Humble, the misfit arrested two years ago for making the tapes.

"It was the most elaborate hoax," recalls Norman, "because there was not one policeman who did not believe this was the voice of the Ripper, not one."

Ill health forced Norman's resignation from the police, but he confesses it was brought about by internal struggles.

"It was all about balancing the books and I was of the opinion that this was a service and if the demand was so high and there was a need for equipment, it should be found," he says.

When he left the police, the father-of-two told his wife, Christine, who steps down as Preston's mayor this month, that he did "not want any responsibility".

But he could not stay out of politics and, after supporting his wife, he stood for Lea ward on Preston Council and went on to become a member of Lancashire County Council.

He was also a member of Lancashire Fire Authority. Last Thursday he stepped down from Preston Council.

He says: "I cannot honestly say I ever wanted to be a policeman."

See Monday's Lancashire Evening Post for the full feature with pictures

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