An alleged killer has appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink, charged with the murder of a teenage girl more than a quarter of a century ago.
A Night Out That Ended in Tragedy
Victoria Hall, aged 17, was last seen in the early hours of September 19, 1999, after an evening out with friends at the Bandbox nightclub in Felixstowe, Suffolk. She and a friend stopped at a takeaway before parting ways at approximately 2.30am, a mere 300 yards from Victoria's home. She never arrived.
Five days after her disappearance, a dog walker made a grim discovery. Victoria's body was found in a water-filled ditch in Creeting St Peter, near Stowmarket, some 25 miles from where she was last seen alive.
Court Appearance Ahead of February Trial
Steve Wright, 67, formerly of Ipswich, appeared at the Old Bailey today via a videolink from HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire. He was dressed in a white T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms for the hearing before Mr Justice Bennathan, where legal arguments were discussed.
Wright has entered a not guilty plea to charges of murder and kidnap in relation to Victoria Hall's death. His trial is scheduled to commence on February 2 and is expected to last for one month.
Further Charge from the Previous Night
In addition to the charges concerning Victoria Hall, Steve Wright also denies the attempted kidnap of a 22-year-old woman. This alleged incident is said to have occurred on September 18, 1999—the night before Victoria vanished.
The case represents one of Suffolk's most enduring and tragic cold case investigations, with the community awaiting answers for over 26 years. All eyes will now be on the Old Bailey as the trial date approaches.
