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Matlock Mercury

What we have written about Matlock Mercury

Hale set for Stateside launch

Former Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale will travel to the States next week to unveil his latest book at a major US crime festival. The investigative journalist-turned-author has just put the finishing touches to his latest work, Secrets of the

Former journalist to put skills to good use in new venture

Former regional press journalist Steve Caddy has launched his own media relations agency in Sheffield. Steve (pictured) worked in newspapers for more than 20 years before moving into PR, and is hoping his journalism background can help make his new

Hale pursues second 'miscarriage of justice' claim

The case of a man convicted of being the “inside man” on a major Securicor robbery is to be heard in mid-July. Graham Huckerby is hoping his conviction will be ruled as a miscarriage of justice after fresh evidence –

Journalist's new crime novel in 'undiscovered' top 20

Investigative journalist Don Hale has been chosen as one of 20 undiscovered authors to be launched by Crème de la Crime this year with his novel The Wrong Body. The publisher launched a search to find the brightest and most

Downing was offered chance to work as Post photographer

Stephen Downing, the man whose conviction for murder was quashed after 27 years in prison, turned down a chance to work at the Nottingham Evening Post. Downing had an interview last year, soon after the appeal court victory which meant

Journalist's new crime novel in 'undiscovered' top 20

Investigative journalist Don Hale has been chosen as one of 20 undiscovered authors to be launched by Crème de la Crime this year with his novel The Wrong Body. The publisher launched a search to find the brightest and most

Date set for Downing murder drama

The BBC’s drama In Denial of Murder, based on former newspaper editor Don Hale’s battle to reverse a miscarriage of justice, will be shown on Sunday February 29. The story, likely to attract interest from all journalists, follows Don’s campaign

Downing drama set to hit our screens

The TV drama In Denial of Murder, based on investigative journalist Don Hale’s battle to free Stephen Downing from prison, is due to be screened this spring. Don’s determination to prove Downing’s innocence captured the imagination of the press and

New quest for justice by investigator Hale

Editor-turned-investigator Don Hale is pinning his hopes on another court success as he exposes another potential miscarriage of justice. The Court of Appeal is preparing to hear an appeal against the conviction of Graham Huckerby, who was convicted of being

It began on the terraces…

Journalist Don Hale achieved international recognition for his work to overturn the conviction of Stephen Downing. But he might not have got into newspapers without his earlier career as a footballer. In the third of our series looking at sportsmen

Filming starts on Downing TV drama

A film drama based on the controversial case of Stephen Downing, and Don Hale’s long campaign to free him, has begun filming for BBC One. In Denial of Murder will see Ballykissangel’s Stephen Tompkinson starring as former Matlock Mercury editor

Film rights for former editor's book are snapped up

An American TV soap superstar has bought the film rights for former Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale’s second book, The Wrong Body. Patricia Heaton’s company FourBoys Productions in Los Angeles has bought the film option. She is an award-winning star

New MDs at Johnston titles

New managing directors have been appointed at two of Johnston Press’s newspaper companies. Nick Mills is now managing director at the Yorkshire Weekly Newspaper Group, and was previously managing director of Wilfred Edmunds Ltd. In his new role Nick will

Downing case to be TV film drama

A two-part fact-based film drama about the Stephen Downing case has just started pre-production to film in September for BBC One. The film explores the story surrounding the murder of Wendy Sewell in 1973 and the controversy around Stephen Downing,

News in brief

Scotsman.com has been nominated for a brace of European online journalism awards.Its coverage of the Scottish election is in the running for Best Overall Journalism Service at the NetMedia Awards – a title Holdthefrontpage won last year – and Stewart

Police criticised in new Downing case row

Former editor Don Hale and freed prisoner Stephen Downing have both rounded on the police who said that Downing is still the only suspect for the 1973 murder of Wendy Sewell. Downing served 27 years in prison, refusing to make