Tiernan killer's sadistic past

Former girlfriends said Taylor was an "oddball"

John Taylor, who has been jailed for life for the murder of Leanne Tiernan, enjoyed sado-masochistic sex and inflicting cruelty on animals.

Despite being viewed as trustworthy by neighbours, West Yorkshire Police were told he tortured animals and crossed the country to find sexual partners.

Taylor, from Leeds, advertised widely for female companions but seemed unable to maintain long-term relationships.

Former girlfriends, who were interviewed by detectives, described him as an "oddball" who was keen on bondage.

He has a dangerous, extremely dangerous nature - this is displayed in the way which he treated animals throughout his life

Detective Superintendent Chris Gregg

From an early age Taylor enjoyed hunting and would go poaching, often in Lindley Woods, where Leanne's body was found.

A poaching companion said he seemed to take particular pleasure in inflicting pain on the rabbits he caught.

When his home was searched the bodies of 28 ferrets were found in his garden along with the skeletons of four dogs, one of which had a crushed skull.

Detective Superintendent Chris Gregg, who led the investigation in to Leanne's death, said: "Taylor appears to have been an ordinary man but he is not.

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"He has a dangerous, extremely dangerous nature - this is displayed in the way which he treated animals throughout his life."

Taylor had a stand up freezer in his terraced home in Bramley, in which he stored 2,000 chicks, probably for use in his pet food business.

This fed speculation Leanne's body had been stored at low temperatures, in the nine months between her disappearance and the discovery of her body.

Detectives have refused to comment on how Leanne's body was stored.

'Ordinary bloke'

Taylor had been divorced for a number of years and used newspaper adverts to look for female partners.

He travelled extensively to meet with those who responded.

Despite this he seemed to have had difficulty in holding together long-term relationships.

Police interviewed some of these women and were told he enjoyed sado-masochistic sex, one telling them like to tie her up during sex sessions.

Neighbours said they were surprised at Taylor's crimes and many described him as "an ordinary bloke."