Steve Wright seems in court docket accused of ‘kidnapping and murdering’ 17-year-old Victoria Hall in 1999

Alleged killer Steve Wright appeared in court today accused of murdering a teenage girl more than 26 years ago.

Victoria Hall, 17, was last seen after an evening out with friends at a nightclub in Felixstowe, Suffolk, on September 19, 1999.

Victoria never returned home and her body was discovered by a dog walker in a water-filled ditch 25 miles away in Creeting St Peter near Stowmarket five days later.

Wright, 67, previously of Ipswich, appeared at the Old Bailey today via videolink from HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire wearing a white T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms.

He denies the murder and kidnap of Victoria and his month long trial is due to begin on February 2. 

A court artist’s sketch of Steve Wright appearing at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court in June 2024

Victoria Hall, 17, vanished on her way home from a nightclub in Felixstowe, Suffolk, in 1999 

Wright also denies attempted kidnap of a 22-year-old woman on September 18, 1999 – the night before Victoria’s disappearance.

Mr Justice Bennathan heard legal arguments today ahead of the trial.

Victoria was walking home from the Bandbox nightclub with a friend in the early hours of the morning when she vanished.

They stopped at a takeaway before saying goodbye at 2.30am, 300 yards from Victoria’s home.