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Wendy Sewell

What we have written about Wendy Sewell

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

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

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

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,

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

Campaigning journalist criticised by police

Campaigning journalist Don Hale has been criticised by Derbyshire Police in a report into the reinvestigation of the murder of Wendy Sewell. The former Matlock Mercury editor spent seven years fighting to clear the name of Stephen Downing who spent

Book will chronicle Hale investigation

The seven-year saga of a journalist’s bid to bring justice for Stephen Downing will be chronicled in a new book to be launched next month. The story Town Without Pity follows award-winning journalist Don Hale’s success in securing a court

Case closed for Matlock Mercury?

For the Matlock Mercury, the final piece of the jigsaw came together this week when Stephen Downing’s murder conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal. The Matlock paper has been covering the case closely since 1995, when it ran

Second award for Don Hale

Readers of the Observer newspaper have chosen Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale as their man of the year. Mr Hale, (48), has been handed the prestigious title in recognition of his work on the Stephen Downing case. Thousands of the

Appeal hearing date for Downing – one year on

A man who spent more than 27 years in prison for a murder he claims he did not commit will get his appeal hearing in January – almost a year since his release on bail. The provisional date for Stephen

Journalist Don makes a footballing comeback

Former Matlock Mercury editor and ex-professional soccer player Don Hale has signed a one-off deal for the great Dutch football legend Johann Cruyff. But Don, a former youth and reserve player with Bury, Blackburn Rovers, York City and Shrewsbury Town,

"Website belongs to our readers"

The Matlock Mercury has relaunched its website – and it’s getting ten times more hits than its sister papers in the Derbyshire Times Group, says delighted editor Don Hale. Originally launched last December, the site has gone for a brighter

It's rude to point

Don Hale has spoken to HoldTheFrontPage about the excitement of winning the top award of Journalist of the Year in Granada Television’s What The Papers Say Awards. The Matlock Mercury editor was honoured for his relentless investigative work into the