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Murder conviction to be reviewed Murder conviction to be reviewed
(30 minutes later)
A man who has spent 27 years in prison for murdering a woman in 1979 is expected to be freed by the Court of Appeal in light of new DNA evidence.A man who has spent 27 years in prison for murdering a woman in 1979 is expected to be freed by the Court of Appeal in light of new DNA evidence.
Sean Hodgson was jailed for strangling Teresa De Simone, 22, in Southampton. She was found in her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub.Sean Hodgson was jailed for strangling Teresa De Simone, 22, in Southampton. She was found in her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub.
Mr Hodgson will become one of the longest-serving victims of a miscarriage of justice if released.Mr Hodgson will become one of the longest-serving victims of a miscarriage of justice if released.
He confessed before pleading not guilty at his Winchester Crown Court trial.He confessed before pleading not guilty at his Winchester Crown Court trial.
Forensic case reviewForensic case review
At that time DNA tests were not available. Such evidence was not used in court until 1986 in Leicester.At that time DNA tests were not available. Such evidence was not used in court until 1986 in Leicester.
But in November, following requests from Mr Hodgson's legal team, Hampshire Constabulary and the Forensic Science Service undertook a case review.But in November, following requests from Mr Hodgson's legal team, Hampshire Constabulary and the Forensic Science Service undertook a case review.
Material, including DNA on samples collected at the time of the murder, was examined.Material, including DNA on samples collected at the time of the murder, was examined.
It is understood the DNA found at the scene did not match a sample given by Mr Hodgson, also known as Robert Graham Hodgson and originally from County Durham.It is understood the DNA found at the scene did not match a sample given by Mr Hodgson, also known as Robert Graham Hodgson and originally from County Durham.
Because of the new evidence, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), an independent body which investigates possible miscarriages of justice, referred his case to the Court of Appeal.Because of the new evidence, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), an independent body which investigates possible miscarriages of justice, referred his case to the Court of Appeal.
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It considered there was a "real possibility the court would consider the conviction unsafe and quash it".It considered there was a "real possibility the court would consider the conviction unsafe and quash it".
At Mr Hodgson's trial, prosecutors relied on the confessions and match of blood type with samples found at the scene.At Mr Hodgson's trial, prosecutors relied on the confessions and match of blood type with samples found at the scene.
Meanwhile, his defence team had argued he was a pathological liar and that the confessions were false.Meanwhile, his defence team had argued he was a pathological liar and that the confessions were false.
The Crown is not expected to oppose Mr Hodgson's conviction challenge at the hearing.The Crown is not expected to oppose Mr Hodgson's conviction challenge at the hearing.
His appeal will be heard by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, sitting with Mr Justice Irwin and Mr Justice Wyn Williams in London.His appeal will be heard by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, sitting with Mr Justice Irwin and Mr Justice Wyn Williams in London.