Judge allows jury to be aware of previous convictions of the accused ahead of UK trial next month

UK serial killer Steve Wright is to go on trial next month charged with the murder of a teenage girl more than 25 years ago. Victoria Hall's body was found in a ditch five days after she disappeared. Photo / Suffolk Constabulary

Suffolk serial killer Steve Wright is to go on trial next month charged with the murder of a teenage girl more than 25 years ago, it can now be reported.

The 67-year-old is accused of killing 17-year-old Victoria Hall who disappeared following a night out with friends in Felixstowe in September 1999.

Wright, who is serving a whole life term for the murders of five sex workers in Ipswich in 2006, denies the charge.

In 2008, Wright was convicted of the murders of Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, following a trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

He was jailed for life and told he would never be released.

In May 2024, following an investigation by Suffolk Constabulary, he was charged with Victoria Hall’s kidnap and murder.

He is also accused of the attempted kidnap of a 22-year-old woman the night before Victoria was abducted.

He denies the charges and his trial is due to begin at the Old Bailey on February 2.

Juries are not usually told about the previous convictions of defendants to avoid prejudicing the jury.

But during a pre-trial hearing today, the judge, Justice Bennathan, ruled the jury could be made aware of Wright’s previous convictions.

Victoria had been with friends at the Bandbox nightclub in Felixstowe when she disappeared.

She was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, September 19, 1999, near her home in the neighbouring village of Trimley St Mary.

Her naked body was found five days later around 32km away in a ditch in Creeting St Peter, near Stowmarket.

Wright, who was wearing a white T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire.

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