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/hampshire/8108854.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Little hope' to find 1979 killer 'Little hope' to find 1979 killer
(about 2 hours later)
The parents of a woman murdered in 1979 say they have little hope her killer will ever be caught after a man's conviction for the murder was quashed. The parents of a woman murdered in 1979 said they have little hope her killer will ever be caught after a man's conviction for the murder was quashed.
Sean Hodgson spent 27 years in jail for the killing of Teresa De Simone, 22, in Southampton but in March the Court of Appeal ruled the conviction unsafe.Sean Hodgson spent 27 years in jail for the killing of Teresa De Simone, 22, in Southampton but in March the Court of Appeal ruled the conviction unsafe.
Mr Hodgson, 57, was released after DNA found at the scene of the murder was re-examined and proved not to be his.Mr Hodgson, 57, was released after DNA found at the scene of the murder was re-examined and proved not to be his.
Police have reopened the case but admitted losing the original notes.Police have reopened the case but admitted losing the original notes.
In their first television interview since the acquittal of Mr Hodgson, Ms De Simone's mother Mary and step-father Michael Sedotti, have spoken of the moment when they knew Mr Hodgson was to be freed.In their first television interview since the acquittal of Mr Hodgson, Ms De Simone's mother Mary and step-father Michael Sedotti, have spoken of the moment when they knew Mr Hodgson was to be freed.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Michael Sedotti said the cuplrit may have been found if Mr Hodgson had not confessedMichael Sedotti said the cuplrit may have been found if Mr Hodgson had not confessed
Mrs Sedotti said: "I was in shock, I thought it was all over, he was behind bars. We had come to terms with it.Mrs Sedotti said: "I was in shock, I thought it was all over, he was behind bars. We had come to terms with it.
"We are still hoping [the killer will be found], but there is not very much hope after 30 years.""We are still hoping [the killer will be found], but there is not very much hope after 30 years."
Ms De Simone's partially-clothed body was found in December 1979 in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub where she worked part-time as a barmaid.Ms De Simone's partially-clothed body was found in December 1979 in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub where she worked part-time as a barmaid.
At the time of the original inquiry, Mr Hodgson confessed to the killing.At the time of the original inquiry, Mr Hodgson confessed to the killing.
Mr Hodgson said he felt "ecstatic" to be a free man again Mr Hodgson said he felt "ecstatic" to be free when he was released in March
But he pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar, but he was convicted. But he pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar. He was found guilty and jailed.
Mr Sedotti said he had gone to the pub when his step-daughter failed to return the night before and saw her car.Mr Sedotti said he had gone to the pub when his step-daughter failed to return the night before and saw her car.
He said: "I didn't know her body was in it. I went to speak to Tom himself, the manager.He said: "I didn't know her body was in it. I went to speak to Tom himself, the manager.
"I don't know why but I never went by the car otherwise I would have seen the body."I don't know why but I never went by the car otherwise I would have seen the body.
"If he [Hodgson] hadn't confessed perhaps the case would have been finished by now and they would have found the culprit," he added."If he [Hodgson] hadn't confessed perhaps the case would have been finished by now and they would have found the culprit," he added.
After her murder, officers took 2,500 statements, traced 500 people who were in the area of the murder at the time and had up to 300 suspects.After her murder, officers took 2,500 statements, traced 500 people who were in the area of the murder at the time and had up to 300 suspects.
But detectives have admitted they have a tough task to sift through the original case for fresh leads because of the missing paperwork.But detectives have admitted they have a tough task to sift through the original case for fresh leads because of the missing paperwork.
People who do not match the DNA profile are being eliminated, police said.People who do not match the DNA profile are being eliminated, police said.
Mr Hodgson is currently pursuing substantial compensation claims for the years spent behind bars.Mr Hodgson is currently pursuing substantial compensation claims for the years spent behind bars.