A murdered teenage prostitute whose naked and severely beaten body was found in an alleyway had probably been abducted and held captive, detectives revealed today.

Detectives hunting the killer of Rebecca Hall are "strongly considering" the theory that she was held against her will before dying from head wounds inflicted during a savage beating. And they appealed to the public for information on where the 19-year-old was held before her violent death.

The body of the young mum - known as Becky to her friends - was dumped in an alleyway behind a car park in Thornton Street, a spot regularly used by prostitutes and their clients.

Miss Hall had not been seen since she disappeared on Good Friday, but police pathologists believe Miss Hall was probably killed "only a few days" before her body was found.

Police were alerted to the scene after a passer-by made the gruesome discovery at around 12.30pm last Thursday.

Today, Detective Chief Superintendent Max McLean, the officer leading the case, said: "Early scientific evidence suggests that Becky was not killed in the alleyway behind the car park.

"Therefore we are strongly considering the theory that Becky was abducted and held somewhere before she was killed and that her body was subsequently dumped in Thornton Street some time around April 26."

Miss Hall died from horrific head injuries during what detectives called a "sustained, vicious and brutal beating." Her four-month-old son Jordan is being cared for by Miss Hall's mother.

Becky was last seen on Good Friday when she left her flat at Lydford House in Elizabeth Street, Little Horton, at around 10pm.

"Rebecca was a working prostitute who frequented the Thornton Road area and it was probable that was where she was heading," said Det Chief Supt McLean. "Nobody has reported sightings of her to the police since this time.

"We strongly appeal for anyone who may have seen Becky to contact us."

Miss Hall - known as 'Goofy' because of her two protruding front teeth - was 5ft 5ins tall with a slim build and dyed red hair in a bob style. The black leggings and purple sheer see-through top she was wearing were found close to her body.

Anyone with information on the murder, or who knew Miss Hall should contact detectives on a dedicated Freephone - 0800 318 001.