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Double jeopardy man admits guilt Double jeopardy man admits guilt
(10 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, and was discovered months later by her mother, stuffed behind a bath panel.Miss Hogg, a pizza delivery girl, had gone missing from her home in the Teesside town, and was discovered months later by her mother, stuffed behind a bath panel.
Campaigned tirelesslyCampaigned tirelessly
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.
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.
'Lasting legacy' href="/1/hi/england/tees/5150346.stm" class="">Killer's conviction makes history
The victim's mother, Ann Ming, campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law.The victim's mother, Ann Ming, campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law.
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 at court today."It's been a long and difficult journey to see him standing in the dock at court today.
Billy Dunlop finally admitted his guilt after 17 years
"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.
"It is a life sentence and a deep sadness that will never go and we would give everything to have her back today, but through our love for Julie, we have helped leave a lasting legacy that we hope have paved the way for other families to obtain justice.""It is a life sentence and a deep sadness that will never go and we would give everything to have her back today, but through our love for Julie, we have helped leave a lasting legacy that we hope have 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."