Police have issued a fresh appeal for information regarding the potential previous criminal activities of serial killer Steve Wright, as he was sentenced for the abduction and murder of a teenager that occurred over a quarter of a century ago. Wright, infamously dubbed the "Suffolk Strangler", was told he will die in prison during his sentencing for the killing of 17-year-old Victoria Hall.
Details of the Case and Sentencing
Victoria Hall disappeared in the early hours of 19 September 1999 from a village on the outskirts of Felixstowe, Suffolk. Wright, who is already serving a whole-life sentence for the murders of five other women, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years for Miss Hall's murder and the attempted abduction of Emily Doherty. The sentencing took place at the Old Bailey on Friday, where prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC described how Miss Hall's body was "callously discarded - stripped naked of everything except for her jewellery".
Judge Mr Justice Bennathan stated it was "extraordinarily unlikely" Wright would ever be released from prison, adding, "Given the sentence from your other dreadful crimes, it is almost certain you will die in prison." Wright appeared to give a slight shrug and smile as he was sent down from the dock.
New Police Appeal for Information
Following the hearing, Suffolk Police announced they are appealing for information related to "possible previous offending" by Wright. In a statement, the force said, "In light of the guilty plea by Steve Wright for the murder of Victoria Hall in 1999, the joint major investigation team are appealing for information relating to him and his possible previous offending." They emphasised that Suffolk and Norfolk constabularies remain open to new information, which could assist in building evidential cases using modern forensic and investigative techniques to bring offenders to justice.
Survivor's Account and Missed Opportunities
Emily Doherty, who Wright attempted to abduct just the night before Miss Hall's murder, has spoken out about her ordeal. In her first-ever media interview, she described how she had to flee from Wright repeatedly for 40 minutes during a night out until someone came to her aid. When police were called, she felt they treated her like "a silly little girl" and failed to conduct a full investigation, even after Miss Hall's body was later discovered.
Ms Doherty told Sky News exclusively, "It's devastating what happened to everyone else, absolutely devastating. You can't help thinking, if they had taken me seriously, Vicky could have survived, but certainly if they had found him sooner the five other women would still be here." This highlights concerns over potential missed opportunities in the initial investigation.
Background and Previous Crimes
After the incidents in Felixstowe in 1999, Wright went on to murder five women in the Ipswich area in 2006, for which he is currently serving a whole-life prison sentence. The case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to uncover any additional offences and ensure justice is served for all victims.
