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Double jeopardy man admits guilt | Double jeopardy man admits guilt |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A murderer has made UK legal history by becoming the first person to be brought to justice after changes to 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 been acquitted of the 1989 murder of his former girlfriend Julie Hogg, of Billingham, Teesside. | |
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. | 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. |
But the law was changed in 2005 and Dunlop, 43, pleaded guilty on Monday. | But the law was changed in 2005 and Dunlop, 43, pleaded guilty on Monday. |
Under the previous 800-year-old law, anyone acquitted by a jury could not be retried for the same offence. | Under the previous 800-year-old law, anyone acquitted by a jury could not be retried for the same offence. |
Case re-opened | Case re-opened |
Dunlop could only be prosecuted for lying at his trial. He was given six years in jail for perjury. | 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. | After the law was changed in April 2005 Cleveland Police re-opened the case. |
Killer's conviction makes history | Killer's conviction makes history |
Miss Hogg, a pizza delivery girl, was initially reported missing. | Miss Hogg, a pizza delivery girl, was initially reported missing. |
Her body was discovered months later by her mother, behind a bath panel. | 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. | 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. |
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' | '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 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. | "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." |
'Evil man' | '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. | 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." | 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." |