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Double jeopardy man admits guilt | Double jeopardy man admits guilt |
(30 minutes 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. | Miss Hogg, a pizza delivery girl, had gone missing from her home in the Teesside town. |
Her body was discovered months later by her mother, stuffed behind a bath panel. | Her body was discovered months later by her mother, stuffed behind a bath panel. |
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. |
Killer's conviction makes history | Killer's conviction makes history |
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. |
Brought to justice | Brought to justice |
The victim's mother, Ann Ming, campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law and described Dunlop as "pure evil". | |
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. | 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 Ann Ming, Julie's mother | It's been a long and difficult journey to see him standing in the dock Ann Ming, Julie's mother |
"It's been a long and difficult journey to see him standing in the dock. | |
"He's done everything he could do to avoid justice, but his lying and scheming have eventually all been in vain. | "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. | "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. |
"No-one can know what it is like to lose a daughter in such horrific circumstances. Our family will live with her death forever. | |
"It is a life sentence and a deep sadness that will never go and we would give everything to have her back, but through our love for Julie, we have helped leave a lasting legacy that we hope has 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. | 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." | "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." |