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Man 'responsible' for 1979 murder Man 'responsible' for 1979 murder
(20 minutes later)
Police have named the man they say was "responsible" for the murder and rape of a woman in 1979.Police have named the man they say was "responsible" for the murder and rape of a woman in 1979.
Detectives have revealed the DNA of David Lace, 26, whose remains were exhumed last month, matched that of the suspected killer of Teresa De Simone.Detectives have revealed the DNA of David Lace, 26, whose remains were exhumed last month, matched that of the suspected killer of Teresa De Simone.
The 22-year-old victim was found in her car at the pub in Southampton where she worked part-time, in December 1979.The 22-year-old victim was found in her car at the pub in Southampton where she worked part-time, in December 1979.
Sean Hodgson, 58, of County Durham, spent 27 years in jail for the murder before his conviction was quashed.Sean Hodgson, 58, of County Durham, spent 27 years in jail for the murder before his conviction was quashed.
Mr Lace, whose natural parents are both dead, was originally from Portsmouth and, at the time of the murder, he was 17 and living in the city.Mr Lace, whose natural parents are both dead, was originally from Portsmouth and, at the time of the murder, he was 17 and living in the city.
He was born with the surname Williams, later taking the adopted name Lace.He was born with the surname Williams, later taking the adopted name Lace.
He must have been very troubled. We will never know why he did it Mary Sedotti, Teresa De Simone's mother Detective Chief Inspector Phil McTavish describes David Lace's convictions
He took his own life in December 1988 when he was living in Brixham, Devon. He did not feature in the original police investigation and was not thought to have had prior links to Miss De Simone.He took his own life in December 1988 when he was living in Brixham, Devon. He did not feature in the original police investigation and was not thought to have had prior links to Miss De Simone.
He made admissions to the murder in 1983 following Mr Hodgson's conviction at Winchester Crown Court some 18 months earlier.He made admissions to the murder in 1983 following Mr Hodgson's conviction at Winchester Crown Court some 18 months earlier.
The Ministry of Justice gave permission for Mr Lace's body to be exhumed from Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth, after new DNA samples indicated he was the prime suspect in the case.The Ministry of Justice gave permission for Mr Lace's body to be exhumed from Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth, after new DNA samples indicated he was the prime suspect in the case.
Teresa De Simone's mother said she was a "happy girl, but shy"
Det Ch Insp Philip McTavish, of Hampshire police, said: "We are satisfied we have identified the man responsible for the murder and rape of Teresa De Simone and we are not seeking any other person.Det Ch Insp Philip McTavish, of Hampshire police, said: "We are satisfied we have identified the man responsible for the murder and rape of Teresa De Simone and we are not seeking any other person.
"We are not linking David Lace to any other undetected serious crimes.""We are not linking David Lace to any other undetected serious crimes."
Teresa De Simone's mother said she was a "happy girl, but shy"
Hampshire police have voluntary referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.Hampshire police have voluntary referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it would have enough evidence to charge Mr Lace if he was still alive.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it would have enough evidence to charge Mr Lace if he was still alive.
Alastair Nisbet, senior crown prosecutor for Hampshire & Isle of Wight, said: "But this is in no sense a declaration that he was guilty of the offences.Alastair Nisbet, senior crown prosecutor for Hampshire & Isle of Wight, said: "But this is in no sense a declaration that he was guilty of the offences.
"Had Mr Lace lived, our decision would merely have authorised the police to begin the legal process by charging him.""Had Mr Lace lived, our decision would merely have authorised the police to begin the legal process by charging him."
Miss De Simone's partially-clothed body was found in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub, where she worked behind the bar.Miss De Simone's partially-clothed body was found in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub, where she worked behind the bar.
Historic exhumation
Her mother Mary Sedotti, 77, said the naming of the suspect would give some closure on the matter.Her mother Mary Sedotti, 77, said the naming of the suspect would give some closure on the matter.
"It is a relief to get it all done," she said. "Hopefully, we can all start to move on now."It is a relief to get it all done," she said. "Hopefully, we can all start to move on now.
Mr Hodgson walked free from the Court of Appeal in March Sean Hodgson walked free from the Court of Appeal in March
"In a way it's hard knowing that he is not here to answer or explain. But then, at the same time, I think that what he did shows he must have had a conscience.""In a way it's hard knowing that he is not here to answer or explain. But then, at the same time, I think that what he did shows he must have had a conscience."
Mr Hodgson confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone.Mr Hodgson confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone.
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 pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar.
After Mr Hodgson's conviction was quashed at the Court of Appeal in March this year, police carried out DNA screening of more than 100 people.After Mr Hodgson's conviction was quashed at the Court of Appeal in March this year, police carried out DNA screening of more than 100 people.
Hampshire police said it was one the rare times the suspect in a historic murder inquiry had been exhumed, in the UK.Hampshire police said it was one the rare times the suspect in a historic murder inquiry had been exhumed, in the UK.