Serial killer Steve Wright has pleaded guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old girl in Suffolk more than 25 years ago.The 67-year-old, formerly of London Road, in Ipswich, had been due to go on trial at the Old Bailey, in London, but dramatically changed his plea on Monday.It is the first time Wright has admitted any killings.Victoria Hall was on her way home to Trimley St Mary from a nightclub in Felixstowe when she vanished in 1999.Her body was found in a ditch five days later near the village of Creeting St Peter, around 25 miles from where she was last seen.Miss Hall had left her home on the evening of 18 September to go with a friend to the Bandbox nightclub.
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Victoria Hall. Pic: PA
The girls left the club at around 1am and parted ways at around 2.20am, yards from Miss Hall’s home.That was the last time Miss Hall was seen alive.
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A prison van carrying Steve Wright arrives at the Old Bailey. Pic: PA
Wright admitted to the the kidnap “by force or fraud” and murder of Miss Hall on 19 September 1999.He also pleaded guilty to the attempted kidnap of Emily Doherty, then aged 22, in Felixstowe the day before.Known as the “Suffolk Strangler”, Wright, who is being held at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire, is serving a whole life sentence for the murders of five women.They were killed over a 10-day period in December 2006 and their bodies dumped at locations in Ipswich.
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Investigation teams at the site near Creeting St Peter in 1999. Pic: PA
Balding and bespectacled Wright appeared in the dock of the Old Bailey on Monday in a navy and grey jumper, and spoke only to confirm his name and enter pleas.Mr Justice Bennathan said he would sentence the defendant on Friday to give Miss Hall’s family the chance to attend and submit victim impact statements.Prosecutor Jocelynn Ledward KC confirmed Ms Hall’s friend Gemma Algar and Ms Doherty would also submit statements.This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.Please refresh the page for the fullest version.You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.