This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/5144722.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Double jeopardy man admits guilt | Double jeopardy man admits guilt |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Teesside man previously acquitted of the murder of a 22-year-old woman has finally admitted his guilt after a change in the double jeopardy law. | A Teesside man previously acquitted of the murder of a 22-year-old woman has finally admitted his guilt after a change in the double jeopardy law. |
| Billy Dunlop had confessed to the 1989 murder of Julie Hogg, from Billingham. | Billy Dunlop had confessed to the 1989 murder of Julie Hogg, from Billingham. |
| Due to the 800-year-old rule under which anyone acquitted by a jury cannot be retried for the same crime, he could only be prosecuted for perjury. | Due to the 800-year-old rule under which anyone acquitted by a jury cannot be retried for the same crime, he could only be prosecuted for perjury. |
| In April 2005 the law was changed and Cleveland Police re-opened the case, resulting in Dunlop's admission. | In April 2005 the law was changed and Cleveland Police re-opened the case, resulting in Dunlop's admission. |
| Miss Hogg, a pizza delivery girl, had gone missing from her home in the Teesside town, and was discovered months later by her mother, stuffed behind a bath panel. | |
| Campaigned tirelessly | Campaigned tirelessly |
| Dunlop, 43, a labourer who lived nearby and had had a brief relationship with her, was charged with the murder. | Dunlop, 43, a labourer who lived nearby and had had a brief relationship with her, was charged with the murder. |
| He faced two trials, but each time the jury failed to reach a verdict and he was formally acquitted in 1991. | He faced two trials, but each time the jury failed to reach a verdict and he was formally acquitted in 1991. |
| However, while serving a seven-year sentence for assaulting a former girlfriend and her lover he confessed to a prison officer that he had carried out the killing. | However, while serving a seven-year sentence for assaulting a former girlfriend and her lover he confessed to a prison officer that he had carried out the killing. |
| He could not be tried again for the murder because of the double jeopardy rule and was sentenced to six years for perjury in 2000. | He could not be tried again for the murder because of the double jeopardy rule and was sentenced to six years for perjury in 2000. |
| 'Lasting legacy' | |
| The victim's mother, Ann Ming, campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law. | The victim's mother, Ann Ming, campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law. |
| After the hearing she said: "We knew Dunlop was responsible and my husband and I were determined not to rest until he had been brought to justice. | |
| "It's been a long and difficult journey to see him standing in the dock at court today. | |
| Billy Dunlop finally admitted his guilt after 17 years | |
| "He's done everything he could do to avoid justice, but his lying and scheming have eventually all been in vain. | |
| "We made a promise to ourselves that Julie's killer would be punished and everyone we have approached over the years has helped me in some way to reach that goal. | |
| "It is a life sentence and a deep sadness that will never go and we would give everything to have her back today, but through our love for Julie, we have helped leave a lasting legacy that we hope have paved the way for other families to obtain justice." | |
| The Crown Prosecution Service area head Martin Goldman said: "William Dunlop has tried to escape responsibility for nearly 20 years and has put Julie Hogg's family through great suffering. | |
| "Today, we have finally seen him accept that he, and he alone, was responsible for killing Julie and hiding her body behind a bath panel where it was discovered by her mother." |