Strangler's guilty plea on murder

SUFFOLK strangler Steve Wright has pleaded guilty to killing teenager Victoria Hall, his sixth murder victim.

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Wright, now 67, had been due to go on trial at the Old Bailey for the murder of 17-year-old Victoria, who disappeared more than 25 years ago.

Wright, formerly of London Road, Ipswich, dramatically changed his plea yesterday and finally admitted Victoria's kidnap “by force or fraud” and murder on September 19, 1999. He also pleaded guilty to the attempted kidnap of Emily Doherty, then aged 22, in Felixstowe, Suffolk, the previous day.

It was the first time Wright has admitted any killings, despite pleas from his family to come clean. The balding and bespectacled Wright appeared in the dock of the Old Bailey, and spoke only to confirm his name and enter pleas.

Mr Justice Bennathan said he would sentence the defendant on Friday to give Ms Hall's family the chance to attend and submit victim impact statements.