A 50-year-old man accused of being the notorious Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as ''Wearside Jack'' today denied perverting the course of justice.

John Humble, of Flodden Road, Sunderland, was charged in connection with a series of letters and an audio tape which was sent to West Yorkshire Police during the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper more than 25 years ago.

Humble, a former labourer and window cleaner, today denied four counts of perverting the course of justice before a judge at Leeds Crown Court.