Victoria Hall: Steve Wright, formerly of London Road, Ipswich, appears in court again in case of Trimley St Mary girl murdered 25 years ago

A man charged with the murder of teenager Victoria Hall 25 years ago has appeared in court again.

Steve Wright, 66, formerly of London Road, Ipswich, appeared before the town’s crown court today via video link.

He is charged with one count each of kidnap and murder in connection with the abduction and death of 17-year-old Victoria on September 19, 1999.

He is also charged with attempting to kidnap another person on September 18, 1999.

No pleas were entered.

Judge Martyn Levett adjourned proceedings for a further case management hearing on December 2.

There will also be a hearing on Monday, which Wright is not expected to attend, to determine a venue for a full trial.

A date for the trial has not yet been set, but it is expected to be next year.

Wright, represented by Robert Tolhurst, wore a grey tracksuit.

Mr Tolhurst confirmed the defendant had been passed fit to stand trial.

Marti Blair represented the prosecution.

Victoria, of Trimley St Mary, had left her home on the evening of September 18, 1999, for a night out with a friend at the Bandbox nightclub in Felixstowe.

They left the club at around 1am the following morning and parted ways at around 2.20am.

That was the last time Victoria was seen alive.

Her parents, Lorinda and Graham Hall, awoke on the morning to discover their daughter had not returned home. A missing persons inquiry was launched.

On September 24, 1999, her body was found in Creeting St Peter, around 25 miles from where she was last seen.

The case was reopened in September 2019, known as Operation Avon, with a new team of detectives.