Police Watchdog Demands Review of 1999 Murder Case Handling
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has formally requested that Suffolk Constabulary investigate its initial handling of the Victoria Hall murder case from 1999. This development follows the recent admission by serial killer Steve Wright, 67, that he kidnapped and murdered the 17-year-old schoolgirl who disappeared on September 19, 1999, from a village near Felixstowe.
Complaints Regarding Initial Investigation
The watchdog revealed it received a referral from Suffolk Constabulary in February regarding complaints about the force's original investigation. These complaints specifically relate to the investigation itself, the disclosure of evidence during criminal proceedings, and comments made by police following the acquittal of an innocent 25-year-old businessman in 2001. That man had been wrongfully arrested and charged in connection with Victoria's murder before being cleared.
The IOPC has determined that an investigation into these complaints is necessary and should be conducted by the force's own professional standards department. This investigation will focus on identifying any potential failings that occurred between 1999 and 2001 during the initial murder inquiry.
Wright's Criminal History and Sentencing
Steve Wright, a former steward on the QE2 cruise ship, was already serving a whole-life sentence for murdering five women in 2006 when he recently admitted to Victoria Hall's murder. In February of this year, Mr Justice Bennathan sentenced Wright at the Old Bailey to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years for this additional crime.
Following Wright's sentencing, Victoria's father, Graham Hall, expressed that his family had endured "26 years of hell which will continue from today onwards and forever."
Missed Opportunities and Victim Impact
The court heard disturbing details about missed opportunities in the case. The night before Victoria's disappearance, Wright had attempted to abduct 22-year-old newlywed Emily Doherty. She managed to escape by running, hiding, and seeking refuge in a couple's house.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Doherty revealed she was "furious" that police treated her like a "silly little girl" and did not take her report of the attempted kidnapping seriously at the time. She stated: "For 25 years, I have wondered 'what if'. What if they had taken my statement? Could Victoria still be alive right now?"
Investigation Progress and Review Rights
A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman confirmed that the internal investigation requested by the IOPC is currently progressing. The force had made a self-referral to the watchdog regarding the initial murder investigation, prompting the IOPC's recommendation for an internal review.
The IOPC spokesperson noted that the force appeared to be treating the matter seriously, having already apologized to the wrongfully accused man and advised him of his right to make a formal complaint. The complainant will retain the right to request a review by the IOPC if dissatisfied with the outcome of the police investigation.
The court was informed that a decision regarding the format and scope of any inquiry into alleged missed opportunities by Suffolk Constabulary would be made separately.
