FAMILIES of the young women murdered by serial killer Steve Wright spoke of their anger after it emerged he is seeking permission to appeal - calling it an abuse of taxpayers’ money.

FAMILIES of the young women murdered by serial killer Steve Wright spoke of their anger after it emerged he is seeking permission to appeal - calling it an abuse of taxpayers' money.

Forklift trucker Wright, of London Road, Ipswich, was jailed for the rest of his life last month after a jury found him guilty of the murders of Tania Nicol, 19, Gemma Adams, 25, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24 and Annette Nicholls, 29.

But it emerged yesterday the 49-year-old former QE2 steward had now applied for permission to appeal against his convictions for the murders.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: “We have been informed by Ipswich Crown Court that Steve Wright has put in an application for leave to appeal.”

Last night Brian Adams, whose daughter Gemma was murdered by Wright, said the killer would probably try every “trick in the book” but the evidence against him was compelling.

“My feeling is he was convicted by a jury and the speed at which it took to convict him was due to overwhelming and very compelling evidence,” he said.

“I think it is about time he wasn't allowed to waste any taxpayers' money. How long is it going to go on for?

“He will probably play every trick in the book because that's what he has done today.

“The police did a very thorough job. The Crown Prosecution Service did a very thorough job. I hope they have left it so no stone is unturned so he has no way back.”

Kerry Nicol, whose daughter Tania was murdered by Wright, expressed her surprise at the application last night and said he should die for his crimes.

“He shouldn't be alive at all as far as I'm concerned. He should be dead,” she said.

“I am surprised (at Wright's application) but I am confident nothing will come of this.

“My family liaison officer phoned me to tell me about this. They have been very good at letting me know what's happening and I would like to thank them.”

Julie Crosby, manager of Ipswich Crown Court, said yesterday: “We received an application from Wright's representative to appeal against his convictions. He has also applied for a representation order for a new solicitor.

“The paperwork has now been sent to the Court of Appeal in London, where it will be considered.”

The naked bodies of the five women were found in isolated spots around Ipswich over a 10-day period in December 2006.

The six-week trial heard that two of the bodies were arranged with their arms outstretched in a crucifix pose.

Forensic analysis revealed Wright's DNA on three of the women and fibres linking him to all five.

Wright admitted frequenting prostitutes in Ipswich and having sex with four of the victims, though he insisted he did not kill them.

But the jurors accepted the prosecution case that he “systematically selected and murdered” the women - either asphyxiating them or compressing their necks - over a six-and-a-half-week “campaign of murder”.

Following the verdict, some of the victims' families called for the death penalty to be reintroduced as punishment for Wright.