 The prosecution said Humble did not contact the police to acknowledge his direct responsibility, even when it was obvious his tapes and letters were diverting police resources away from the real Ripper.His defence counsel said in court that Humble had attempted to take his own life in November 1979 by jumping off the 90ft bridge spanning the River Wear and on other occasions.Instead of dying, he landed on a boat and was rescued by the police, spending three months in hospital as a result of his injuries and undergoing psychiatric treatment.