Local MPs from where Stephen Port murdered four men vow to protect LGBT community
MPs local to where Stephen Port murdered four men he met on gay dating apps and sites by poisoning them, have vowed to keep the LGBT+ community safe there.
The so-called ‘Grindr serial killer’ Stephen Port who was found guilty yesterday of murdering four men he met using gay dating apps will be sentenced tomorrow (25 November).
Speaking to the Barking and Dagenham Post, MP for Dagenham Jon Cruddas said: “My thoughts are with the families of the victims, who I hope can take some solace from the verdict that was delivered this week.
“I would also like to urge all those that use dating apps to take every precaution when meeting people, and stay safe.”
Barking MP Margaret Hodge added that the safety of residents there was her priority, saying: “I will do all I can to keep residents safe.”
A jury yesterday found Port guilty of murdering a fourth man after an earlier verdict found him guilty of murdering three others.
41-year-old Stephen Port, of Barking, east London, was found guilty of the murder of Anthony Walgate.
Earlier in the day he was found guilty of the murders of Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth, and Jack Taylor.
The men were poisoned with lethal doses of the date-rape drug GHB.
Port was also earlier found guilty of a number of sexual offences and of administering a substance with intent.
The court had heard that he used GHB to poison the men to have sex with them while they were unconscious.
He had pleaded not guilty to 29 charges which include murder, rape, sexual assault and drugging.
The court previously saw details of his accounts on gay networking, escort, and hook-up sites.
In total, 18 different accounts across 12 separate apps and websites had been linked to Port.
The court previously heard that GHB bottles and even a suicide note were found planted on men’s bodies.
His trial began in October at the Old Bailey.
