Tees Valley Mayor calls for Damehood for justice campaigner Ann Ming MBE
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen is leading calls for Ann Ming MBE to receive a Damehood in recognition of her campaign for reform to double jeopardy laws.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen is leading calls for Ann Ming MBE to receive a Damehood in recognition of her campaign for reform to double jeopardy laws.
Mayor Houchen confirmed he would take forward a nomination, citing the contribution Ann made in delivering justice not just for her daughter, but in effecting change on a national level by reforming the United Kingdom’s justice system.
Ann’s 17-year-long campaign was instrumental in securing landmark reform within the Criminal Justice Act 2003, ultimately allowing retrials in serious criminal cases where “new and compelling evidence” emerges.
Ann’s tireless journey for justice began in November 1989 when her daughter, Julie Hogg, was murdered at her Billingham home by Billy Dunlop.
Despite being arrested and arraigned, Dunlop denied all charges against him, and in 1991 two separate trials each failed to reach a verdict, meaning he was able to walk free.
Having been acquitted at trial, Dunlop was aware that he was protected against further prosecution for Julie’s murder under the then-existing 800-year-old double jeopardy law.
Years later, while serving time for other violent offences, Dunlop bragged of his guilt to inmates and prison staff in the belief that he would never face justice.
As a result of Ann’s relentless 17 years in campaigning for justice, the double jeopardy law was finally overturned and, effective from April 2005, serious crimes, including murder, could be sent for retrial provided there was new and compelling evidence.
As a result, Dunlop was retried, convicted, and finally sentenced to life imprisonment in 2006.
The changes implemented in the 2003 Act would go on to deliver justice hundreds of cases including the Stephen Lawrence case.
For her tireless work, Ann was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to the criminal justice system. A Damehood would represent a promotion within the Order and is an honour reserved for individuals whose contributions at a national level demonstrate sustained and exceptional commitment.
Her story was captured in her memoir For the Love of Julie, and last year was dramatised in the ITV series I Fought the Law, starring Sheridan Smith, bringing renewed national attention to her courage and impact.
In recognition of Ann’s continued campaign for reform to the law to protect the public from violent offenders, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he was proud to lead calls for her to receive a Damehood.
Ben Houchen said: “Ann Ming’s courage and determination delivered justice not just for her daughter, but also for countless families right across the country.
“This is a woman who took on the system and won, and whose tireless work will continue to serve justice for generations to come.
“That fight began here on Teesside, but its impact continues to be felt by victims in every corner of the country.
“I know I speak for people not only here in our region, but right across Britain, when I say that a Damehood would be a fitting recognition for a woman who led one of the most important justice campaigns in modern British history.
Mayor Houchen has written to the Prime Minister, Justice Secretary, and other local politicians asking them to support the nomination.