A plea hearing for Steve Wright, accused of kidnapping and murdering Victoria Hall more than 20 years ago, is set to go ahead today.

Wright, 66, previously appeared from HMP Long Lartin at Ipswich Crown Court via a video link on Monday for a plea and trial preparation hearing which was adjourned until Tuesday.

He is accused of kidnapping 17-year-old Victoria and murdering her on September 19, 1999 and attempting to kidnap 22-year-old Emily Doherty on September 18, 1999.

A provisional trial date has been set for January 13 next year, although it is likely to be later in the year.

Victoria Hall was found dead days after she vanished Victoria Hall was found dead days after she vanished (Image: Suffolk Police)Judge Martyn Levett previously said a trial venue was currently being sought to hear the case.

Victoria left her home in Trimley St Mary on the evening of Saturday, September 18, 1999 to go for a night out with a friend at the Bandbox nightclub in Bent Hill, Felixstowe, where they remained until about 1am on the morning of Sunday, September 19.

They then went to get some food at the Bodrum Grill in Undercliff Road West, before beginning the walk back to Trimley St Mary.

They parted at around 2.20am near to the junction of High Road and Faulkeners Way. Victoria was just yards away from her home.

When her parents woke up that morning and discovered that she had not returned home, the police were called and a missing person inquiry commenced.

Five days later, on Friday, September 24, her body was found in a ditch beside a field by a dog walker in Creeting Lane, Creeting St Peter, about 25 miles away from where she was last seen.

In September 2019, Suffolk police revealed that the case – known as Operation Avon - was now a live inquiry again and being fully reinvestigated by a new team of detectives.

Wright, formerly of London Road in Ipswich, was charged on May 22 this year.