COULD the notorious Abertillery child killer Harold Jones also be responsible for the unsolved 'Jack the Stripper' slayings that devastated London in the early 1960's?

That is the question now poised by local author Neil Milkins, whose recently published book 'Every Mother's Nightmare' covers in great detail the double child murders that the 15-year-old Jones was originally convicted of in the 1920's.

Now, after receiving some illuminating correspondence from a reader of his book, and carrying out some further research of his own, Mr Milkins has strong suspicions that Jones could indeed have been involved in the 'Jack the Stripper' killings following his release from prison during the time of the Second World War.

'Jack the Stripper' was the nickname given to an unknown serial killer responsible for what became known as the London 'nude murders' between 1964 and 1965.

His victimology was similar to Jack the Ripper, and he murdered six, possibly eight prostitutes, whose bodies were discovered around London or dumped in the River Thames.

His six confirmed victims were all found to be positive victims of the same murderer and were all found in similar conditions.

All were found naked, except for stockings, and what the killer did to these poor unfortunate women is too shocking to relate.

Over the years the names of a number of persons have been put forward as being responsible for the murders, the most sensational was that of boxer 'Fearless' Freddie Mills, crowned light-heavyweight champion of the world in 1948.

Mills, a darling of the media and a hero to millions, was found in July 1965, six months after the last of the 'Hammersmith Murders' slumped in the back of a car in Soho after suffering a gunshot wound to his head. He later died in Middlesex Hospital.

His family and many of his closest friends, including the Kray twins, believed Mills had been murdered.

Bruce Forsyth and Henry Cooper were bearers at his funeral as was boxing promoter Jack Solomons.

The detective responsible for bringing the Kray twins to justice, Leonard 'Nipper' Read headed the police inquiry into the death of Mills and ruled his demise as suicide.

To this day the 'Jack the Stripper' case has remained unsolved, leading Mr Milkins to tell the Chronicle, "It is not my intention to claim that Harold Jones was responsible for any or all of the murders in London. However the facts are though, that Jones was not released from prison after he had killed two young girls because he was repentant. In fact, throughout his prison life he was found to be callous and was seen as a 'no-hoper.'

"The only reason he was released from prison was because of the Second World War, and because the prison authorities hoped that it would give Jones "his chance in life.

"After his release Jones would often walk around Abertillery on his 'home visits' as though he were a star and had something to be proud of.

"Records show that he was certainly proud of the fact that he had beaten Scotland Yard after he had attempted to rape and then killed eight-year-old Freda Burnell."

Milkins added, "All of the eight London murders were committed within a short distance of the Fulham and Hammersmith areas. Harold Jones, claiming to be Harry Stevens lived in Hestercombe Avenue, Fulham until 1962. He was then registered on the electoral roll as Harry

Jones and living at Aldensley Road, Hammersmith.

"Years of research and a three month investigation by Scotland Yard between September and December of last year, failed to provide details of Jones' whereabouts between 1963 and 1965.

"Although none of the London victims were children, it should be noted that in 1948, Jones had progressed from an interest in young girls and had married a 35-year-old-woman.

"If Jones was responsible for the murders and was able to confide in anyone, he would certainly have bragged in regard to the Scotland Yard detectives, "I beat them again."

Police are currently looking into the possibility that Harold Jones could be responsible for the 'Jack the Ripper' killings.