THIS is the face of the man responsible for the killing of a vulnerable young girl almost 20 years ago.

Keith Hall was the primary suspect when Rachel Wilson went missing on May 31, 2002.

Despite being more than 20 years her senior, Hall had dragged the teenager into a life of addiction and prostitution.

At the time of her disappearance she was in a longstanding relationship with Hall, who was older than Rachel's mother.

Detectives managed to collect evidence from more than 150 witnesses before case was brought to trial.

Today, the 19-year-old's family have been able to take their first step towards full closure after 62-year-old Hall finally admitted causing her death.

The Northern Echo: Rachel WilsonRachel Wilson

Temporary Detective Superintendent Paula Dewell said Hall had been the focus of Cleveland Police's attention throughout the investigation but it had taken them years to finally secure justice for Rachel and her family.

She said: "We are really pleased for the family that they have got a resolution for the nightmare they have lived for the last 19 years and that he has finally accepted responsibility for the death of Rachel Wilson."

Hall, of Lambton Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, previously pleaded not guilty to murder but entered a guilty plea to a charge of manslaughter on the day his trial was due to start.

The Northern Echo: Temp Det Supt Paula DewellTemp Det Supt Paula Dewell

Temp Det Supt Dewell added: "We assume that he has accepted the prosecution case that it was a beating that had gone too far and ended in Rachel's death.

"Rachel was a vulnerable teenager who was exploited by her then partner Keith Hall and many other people after she was dragged into drug abuse and prostitution."

Hall was remanded in custody while medical reports were compiled before his sentence at the end of June.