A Teesside mum's fight for justice over daughter's murder to be turned into ITV drama
I Fought The Law will star Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming
A grieving Teesside mother who campaigned to change the Double Jeopardy Law after her daughter was murdered has had her legal fight turned into a TV drama.
Called I Fought The Law, the new series will recount the real-life story of how Ann Ming battled for 15 years so that her daughter’s murderer could finally face justice, having been controversially acquitted following two mistrials.
The mother of three, who has acted as consultant throughout the production process, commented: “I am very pleased that producers want to tell the story of my campaign to overturn the Double Jeopardy Law.
"My daughter’s killer was wrongfully acquitted, and a number of years later confessed to her murder, for which he could only be prosecuted for perjury due to the 800-year-old Double Jeopardy Law.
"I wasn’t going to let this stand in my way of getting justice for Julie."
What is I Fought the Law about?
The four part series is based on Ann’s book For The Love of Julie which tells how Ann and her family dealt with Julie’s disappearance in Billingham, Cleveland in November 1989, after working her late shift at a local pizza parlour.
Julie's body was then found, concealed behind the bath panel in her daughter's home, 80 days later - despite earlier police searches.
Her killer twice stood trial for her murder in 1991, but two juries could not reach verdicts, and he walked free because of the "double-jeopardy" rule.
But after the 15 year campaign by Ann Ming to change the 800-year-old law, the man responsible for killing Julie was finally sentenced to life in prison - in 2006.
Who is in the cast?
The Teacher and Cleaning Up actress Sheridan Smith will play the lead role of Ann Ming.
Speaking about her involvement, Sheridan said: “I am so honoured to have been asked to play the role of Ann Ming, a mother so determined to fight for justice for her murdered daughter that she spent 15 years campaigning for the Double Jeopardy Law to be changed.
"She is a truly courageous and remarkable woman to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude.”
Scarborough actor Daniel York Loh will play the role of Charlie Ming, whilst The Crown's and Enzo Cilenti will feature as as DS Mark Braithwaite.
Marlowe Chan-Reeves, Olivia Ng, Jake Davies, Victoria Wyant, Kent Riley, Jack James Ryan Andrew Lancel and Rufus Jones will also star in the new series.
Where was it filmed?
Starting in August 2024, filming took place in Teesside and surrounding areas in the North East of England.
Camera crews were spotted in Shiremoor, North Tyneside in mid-August last year.
Screenwriter Jamie Crichton said: “As soon as I heard Ann's story, of her iron resolve and unbelievable courage to see justice done in the face of adversity, I knew this was one that had to be told.
"Ann is a shining beacon of what can be achieved if you stop at nothing to make your voice heard. In an age when it's all too easy to feel helpless, we need more Ann Mings in the world.”
When can we watch it?
I Fought The Law will air on ITV1 and ITVX.
No specific release date has been confirmed - but we understand it will be broadcast at the end of August.