A MAN has appeared in court charged with kidnapping and murdering a teen girl – 24 years after she was found dead in a ditch.
Victoria Hall, 17, was last seen on September 19, 1999, after a night out with pals at a club in Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Her her body was discovered five days later in a water-filled ditch 25 miles away near Stowmarket.
Steve Wright appeared at Ipswich Crown Court today charged with kidnap and murder.
The 66-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
No pleas were entered but a provisional trial date was set for January 13.
Wright, who appeared via video-link, is also accused of the attempted kidnap of a 22-year-old woman the night before Victoria;s disappearance.
The alleged victim reported that a man approached and followed her between 3am and 4am in Felixstowe.
Wright was remanded into custody to next appear at the same court on September 24.
Victoria was walking home from the Bandbox nightclub with best friend Gemma Algar in the early hours of the morning when she vanished.
The pair had stopped at a takeaway before saying goodbye at 2.30am just 300 yards from Victoria’s home.
Her parents woke up the next morning and realised Victoria had not come home – and alerted the police.
Tragically Victoria’s body was discovered on September 24.
Suffolk Police reopened its investigation in 2019 after receiving fresh witness information, which it would not expand upon.
