Steve Wright Admits to 1999 Kidnapping and Murder of Victoria Hall
Serial killer Steve Wright has pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and murder of a 17-year-old girl more than 25 years ago in Suffolk.
Victoria Hall's naked body was discovered five days after she had spent an evening out in Felixstowe in September 1999.
Wright, who is currently serving a whole life sentence for the 2006 murders of five women in and around Ipswich, appeared at the Old Bailey where a trial was initially scheduled.
However, the 67-year-old changed his pleas to guilty on all charges and also admitted to the attempted kidnapping of a 22-year-old woman the night before Victoria disappeared. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday.
Suffolk Police stated that Victoria's family had "waited over 26 years for this day" and expressed that they were "so very pleased that we have been able to deliver justice".
Background on Wright's Previous Convictions
Wright was originally sentenced to a whole life term in 2008 for the murders of five women who were sex workers in the Ipswich area. The victims were Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell, and Annette Nicholls.
Although Wright never admitted to these murders, a jury found him guilty following a trial at Ipswich Crown Court.
Details of the Recent Hearing at the Old Bailey
During the recent hearing at the Old Bailey in London, Wright was expected to stand trial after previously denying the latest charges. However, prior to the jury being sworn in, he altered his pleas to guilty.
Wright appeared in the dock wearing glasses and a two-toned grey sweatshirt. As he admitted to the charges, gasps and sighs were audible in the courtroom. This marked the first time he publicly acknowledged being a killer.
Information About Victoria Hall
In 1999, Victoria Hall lived in Trimley St Mary and was studying for her A-levels, having attended Orwell High School.
On 18 September that year, she went out for the evening in Felixstowe with a friend.
They left the Bandbox nightclub at approximately 01:00 BST and walked the two miles back to Trimley.
The friends parted ways at about 02:30, but Victoria was reported missing the following day.
Her body was found five days later in a ditch, located 25 miles (40 km) away in Creeting St Peter.
A businessman from Felixstowe was initially tried for her murder in 2001 but was acquitted by a jury at Norwich Crown Court.
Reopening of the Investigation and Charges
Suffolk Police reopened the investigation in 2019, on the 20th anniversary of Victoria's disappearance. Subsequently, Wright was charged with her murder and with attempting to kidnap Emily Doherty in Felixstowe the night before Victoria's disappearance.
Statements from Authorities
Samantha Woolley, a specialist prosecutor leading the Crown Prosecution Service case against Wright, commented after Monday's hearing:
"Justice has finally been achieved."
"The meticulous work we have carried out with Suffolk Police, supporting their restarted investigation over the past six years and working hard to build this case to court, has resulted in Wright admitting his guilt."
"This outcome should make plain that time does not preclude a successful prosecution; we will doggedly pursue justice for the victims of non-recent crimes, no matter how many decades have passed."
Assistant Chief Constable Alice Scott of Suffolk Police added:
"Victoria's family have waited over 26 years for this day and I am so very pleased that we have been able to deliver justice for Victoria and they now know who is responsible for Victoria's murder."
"I am relieved that the family have been spared the ordeal of a trial, however, I am acutely aware that despite today's conviction, they will continue to live with the trauma of having Victoria ripped away from them at such a young age and in such horrific circumstances."
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