Parents ‘shocked’ after gay son charged with four murders
The parents of Stephen Port have said they are shocked, after he was charged with the murder of men he met on gay websites, dumping their bodies in a churchyard.
40-year-old Stephen Port, of Barking, east London was charged this week in relation to the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth, and Jack Taylor, and was accused of using GHB to poison a number of victims.
The four bodies were found in and around the St Margaret’s Churchyard, between June 2014 and September 2015.
His mother Joan Port told the Daily Mail: “The first we heard of it was on the news this morning. I was shocked. I am still shaking. We last spoke to him last night.
Father Albert Port added: “He phoned me up about half 10. He just said, “Can I have a bit of money and some books, something to read by tomorrow morning?
“So I had to go up there with a couple of books and £40 – you have to have a bit of money. He didn’t explain why he was there. He didn’t say nothing.”
Mrs Port told the newspaper: “He is a quiet boy, tall, 6ft 3in, size 14 shoes. He doesn’t say a lot. He had different boyfriends – he is gay.
“He lived on his own. He’s got this older chap who has known for donkey’s and he has got to have somewhere to live as well. He pays the bills.”
Mr Port continued: “We thought he would be alright now – he has just started a new job.
“He goes round different shops stocktaking – the pound shop and car show rooms. He was a chef for 13 years at the bus garage in West Ham.”
Stephen port has been charged with four counts of murder and four counts of administering a poison with intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm.
Port, a special needs teacher, appeared in Barkingside Magistrates’ Court yesterday, but spoke only to confirm his name.
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