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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 murderer has made UK legal history by becoming the first person to be brought to justice after changes to the double jeopardy law.
Billy Dunlop had confessed to the 1989 murder of Julie Hogg, from Billingham. Billy Dunlop had been acquitted for the 1989 murder of his former girlfriend Julie Hogg, of Billingham, Teesside.
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. He later confessed his guilt to a prison officer, while serving time for assault, knowing that he could not be retried for the same crime.
In April 2005 the law was changed and Cleveland Police re-opened the case, resulting in Dunlop's admission. But the law was changed in 2005 and Dunlop, 43, pleaded guilty on Monday.
Miss Hogg, a pizza delivery girl, had gone missing from her home in the Teesside town. Under the previous 800-year-old law, anyone acquitted by a jury could not be retried for the same offence.
Her body was discovered months later by her mother, stuffed behind a bath panel. Case re-opened
Dunlop, 43, a labourer who lived nearby and had had a brief relationship with her, was charged with the murder. Dunlop could only be prosecuted for lying at his trial. He was given six years in jail for perjury.
After the law was changed in April 2005 Cleveland Police re-opened the case.
Killer's conviction makes historyKiller's conviction makes history
Miss Hogg, a pizza delivery girl, was initially reported missing.
Her body was discovered months later by her mother, behind a bath panel.
Dunlop, 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.
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
The victim's mother, Ann Ming, campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law and described Dunlop as "pure evil".The victim's mother, Ann Ming, campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law and described Dunlop as "pure evil".
'Difficult journey'
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 motherIt'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."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. "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." 'Evil man'
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."
The case was adjourned for sentencing on 6 October.
Afterwards, Cleveland CPS chief Martin Goldman said: "We will be putting to the court that Billy Dunlop is an evil and very violent man and will be asking the court to sentence him on that basis."