Crown Prosecution say the evidence against Steve Wright gave him no option but to admit his crimes
He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years for the kidnapping and murder of Victoria Hall.
Serial killer Steve Wright has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years for the kidnap and murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall more than two decades ago.
The 67-year-old was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court yesterday (6th February 2026) after pleading guilty earlier this week to murder and kidnap in relation to Victoria, as well as the attempted kidnap of 22-year-old Emily Doherty the night before the teenager disappeared.
Wright is already serving a whole-life order for the murders of five women in the Ipswich area in 2006.
What happened 26 years ago?
Victoria, from Trimley St Mary in Suffolk, was last seen alive in the early hours of 19 September 1999 after leaving a nightclub in Felixstowe. She had been walking home when she parted from a friend just a few hundred yards from her house.
A missing person inquiry began later that morning, and five days afterwards her body was discovered in a ditch near Creeting St Peter, around 25 miles from where she was last seen. A formal cause of death could not be established, but a pathologist concluded she had been murdered within hours of her disappearance and that there had been interference with her breathing.
The case was reopened in 2019 following a review by the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Unsolved Case Team, which identified new forensic opportunities and fresh information. Detectives reviewed more than 100,000 items during the reinvestigation.
Advances in DNA testing played a significant role in the case. Specialists found a Y-STR DNA profile that provided very strong support that the majority of the sample detected originated from Wright or a close paternal male relative.
Investigators also linked Wright to an attempted kidnap hours before Victoria vanished. Emily Doherty told police she had been approached by a man who stopped his car and pursued her in Felixstowe. She managed to escape after seeking help from a nearby property and later provided officers with a description of the vehicle.
Judge's comments
As Mr Justice Bennathan sentenced Steve Wright he spoke out about the crime's committed, the lasting impact it's had on those affected and said "no life sentence passed on you can heal the bereaved families' loss and grief."
"Justice has finally come"
Specialist prosecutor Samantha Woolley paid tribute to Victoria following the sentencing.
She said: “Firstly, on behalf of the CPS, I would like to pay tribute to the late Victoria Hall, for whom justice has finally come after 26 years.
“The strength of our case, which featured a wealth of evidence, gave him little option but to admit his guilt. Quite simply, he represents the very worst of humanity and is exactly where he belongs, in prison.”
Addressing the decision to prosecute despite Wright already serving a whole-life sentence, she added: “Was it in the public interest to prosecute a man who was already serving a whole life order for crimes committed over 20 years ago? The answer to that is a resounding yes. Justice for Victoria demanded nothing less.”
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick, the senior investigating officer, described the sentencing as the conclusion of a long and complex inquiry.
He said: “Today’s sentencing marks the conclusion of an extensive and painstaking murder investigation. Twenty-six years ago, Victoria Hall was just two weeks from her 18th birthday and had her whole life ahead of her. This was cut short so cruelly.
“I wish to pay tribute to Victoria’s father Graham, and her brother Steven who now finally know who is accountable for those shocking actions. This demonstrates that time is no barrier to justice.”
He also recognised the experience of Emily Doherty, saying: “Special mention must be given to Emily… who narrowly escaped the depraved actions of this man the night before Victoria was taken. We do not underestimate the impact that this night has had on her and continues to do so.”
Police said Wright attempted to cover his tracks following the murder but was ultimately confronted with overwhelming evidence.
DCI Connick added: “Wright was forced into a position where he had no alternative but to plead guilty to all three offences with the weight of evidence against him.”
"We will relentlessly pursue justice for victims and families"
Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies have urged anyone with information about Wright and any possible previous offending to come forward, adding that modern forensic techniques continue to support efforts to bring offenders to justice, regardless of how much time has passed.
“Our message could not be clearer,” Woolley said. “We will relentlessly pursue justice for victims and families, no matter how many years or decades have passed. Time is no barrier.”