How many more did this sadist murder?

Divorced father-of-two John Taylor was last night beginning two life sentences for the abduction and murder of Leanne Tiernan after being described by a judge as "a dangerous sexual sadist".

The 16-year-old was grabbed on an unlit path while she was on a Christmas shopping trip to Leeds in November 2000 and taken to Taylor's home where she was strangled.

Police believe the parcel delivery worker kept the body in a freezer for some time before her body was found dumped in Lindley Woods between Otley and Harrogate, North Yorkshire, nine months later.

Last night, detectives who investigated her chilling murder confirmed they were re-examining four other murders over the past 20 years, including the 1992 killing of Yvonne Fitt.

The prostitute disappeared from the streets of Bradford and her corpse was discovered in a shallow grave at Norwood Edge, just west of Harrogate and close to the spot where Leanne's body was found.

The 33-year-old died of multiple stab wounds in a frenzied attack but, despite a massive manhunt - which included an underwater search of Lindley Wood reservoir - her killer was never found.

Detective Superintendent Chris Gregg said after the court appearance: "We do not believe that this is the first major crime he has committed."

Meanwhile, officers in Cleveland confirmed they would travel to West Yorkshire in the next few days to interview Taylor over the murder of call girl Vicky Glass.

The 21-year-old was last seen outside The Shipmate pub in Middlesbrough in September 2000. Her remains were discovered on moorland near Danby, North Yorkshire, six weeks later - and only three weeks before Leanne vanished.

Inspector Jim Tate, of Cleveland Police, said: "Certainly we will be looking at it to see if there are links between Vicky Glass and this chap.

"We will be liaising with staff from West Yorkshire Police and will look at all the evidence."

Officers will also investigate whether Taylor could be connected to any other missing young women on Teesside.

Taylor, 46, of Cockshott Drive, Bramley, Leeds, pleaded guilty to murder yesterday at Leeds Crown Court. He admitted kidnapping Leanne at a previous hearing.

When Mr Justice Astill told Taylor he would recommend he should never be released there were cheers and applause. Outside the court, family and friends of the teenager hugged and wept.

The judge told Taylor: "You are a dangerous sexual sadist. Your purpose in kidnapping this young girl was so that you could satisfy your perverted cravings."

He concluded: "You must expect to spend the rest of your life in custody."

Earlier Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, told the judge there was no evidence Taylor had sexually assaulted Leanne, but it was clear his motive was his own "sexual gratification".

He described how Leanne had been tied up by Taylor and this was something he had either done or fantasised about with other women, including a 15-year-old girl.

One ex-girlfriend, referred to only as Mrs E, told police how Taylor said he wanted to have sex with her 15-year-old daughter.

Mrs E said Taylor described how he fantasised about tying her daughter up with cable ties in a sex session.

Another woman Taylor had met through a lonely hearts column, Miss B, said she was tied up during sexual intercourse with Taylor on two occasions, leaving her feeling "that she was being raped".

Mr Smith said Taylor killed Leanne by strangling her with a ligature - either a scarf or a plastic cable tie.

He said when her body was discovered it was wrapped in plastic bin liners and a duvet cover. Her hands were tied together with cable ties and she had a dog collar tied tightly round her neck.

He said experts agreed that her body was not decomposed enough to have been in the wood for the full nine months since she disappeared.

Mr Smith said: "It is possible that her body may have been refrigerated or even frozen for some considerable period of time."