A terrified young woman targeted by serial killer Steve Wright armed herself with a stick and hid in gardens as the notorious murderer came within inches of snatching her off the street, chilling court details have now revealed.
Night of Terror in Felixstowe
Emily Doherty, then aged just 22, was walking home alone from a nightclub in Felixstowe, Suffolk, during the early hours of September 18, 1999, when she encountered the predator who would later become known as the Suffolk Strangler.
Wright, now 67, has admitted attempting to kidnap Emily alongside confessing to the kidnap and murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall during a recent hearing at the Old Bailey.
The Harrowing Encounter
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC told the court that Emily had left her friends near High Road East before noticing a parked car in Picketts Road with its driver's door open and engine running.
Initially thinking the man she saw might be urinating, Emily quickly became terrified by what she described as "the way he looked at her." Sensing immediate danger, she sprinted away, grabbing a stick for protection before hiding in a nearby garden on her hands and knees.
"The car then leaves Picketts Road and turns into the next road, Park Avenue, a cul-de-sac, giving a clear indication that this individual is seeking to remain close," Ms Ledward explained to the court.
Relentless Stalking
Wright then got out of his vehicle and came searching for his intended victim, coming "very close" to her hiding place before uttering the chilling words, "All right?"
Ms Ledward stated that Wright was "close enough to grab her but too far from his car to bundle her in," adding that he appeared to be "weighing up what force would be required in order to complete his intention to kidnap."
The prosecutor detailed how Wright drove his car to a roundabout near the Orwell Hotel, turned around, and drove past Emily's subsequent hiding place "at least another three times back and forth," demonstrating clear intent to locate and capture her.
Judicial Findings and Legal Proceedings
Mr Justice Bennathan ruled that by approaching Emily on foot, Wright had "crossed the line between [kidnap] preparation and attempt," with those actions constituting "embarking on the crime."
Emily's terrifying ordeal finally ended when a concerned homeowner invited her inside for safety. The attack occurred just one day before Victoria Hall's disappearance on September 19, 1999.
Victoria Hall's Tragic Fate
Victoria, from Trimley St Mary, had been at the Bandbox nightclub before she went missing. Her naked body was discovered five days later in a ditch at Creeting St Peter, approximately 25 miles away.
A businessman from Felixstowe stood trial for her murder in 2001 but was found not guilty by a jury at Norwich Crown Court. Suffolk Police reopened the investigation into Victoria's murder on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance in 2019.
Wright's Criminal History and Current Status
Steve Wright is currently serving a whole-life term for murdering five women in and around Ipswich in December 2006: Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell, and Annette Nicholls.
Wright was charged with the offences against Emily and Victoria in 2024, initially pleading not guilty before changing his plea. His legal team had argued insufficient evidence for the attempted kidnap charge, but the judge ruled against them.
Following Monday's hearing, Suffolk Police stated they were pleased to have been able to deliver justice for both Victoria and Emily. Wright is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday.
It remains unclear exactly when Emily came forward to Suffolk Police or when authorities first acted on her information. Police have yet to provide further comment on the timeline of the investigation.
