Investigative journalist Don Hale has been subjected to a threat from an attacker who targeted the mother of Stephen Downing, the man who had his conviction quashed after spending 27 years in jail for a murder he claims he did not commit.

Juanita Downing (68) suffered a vicious and violent attack when she answered a knock to the back door of her council house in Bakewell, Derbyshire. She suffered severe cuts to her cheek, ribs and legs after being punched and then dragged down three concrete steps.

This attack follows a previous visit by the same person some three weeks ago. On that occasion, the man arrived on a motorbike and was dressed in a dark helmet and leathers.

He threw stones at her door to attract attention and when Juanita opened the door, he told her he was going to get her and investigative journalist Don Hale – the man responsible for leading the eight-year campaign to secure her son’s freedom.

Don Hale, the former editor of the Matlock Mercury, believes this was a determined and premeditated attack on a defenceless old lady because it was carried out after her self-employed husband Ray had been called out on a taxi job.

Don has previously spoken of his belief that the people who actually carried out the murder that Downing was jailed for are still keen to protect their own freedom.

The family reported a series of threats and intimidation to the police following the official re-opening of the case last April.

Police agreed to monitor the situation and were so concerned of a possible attack on members of the family that they installed panic alarms with direct access to Bakewell police station.

Don said after the attack: “It came as quite a shock that anyone should attack Nita in such a cowardly and vicious attack. Out of all the personalities involved with Stephen’s campaign, Nita was the most unlikely target. She has never harmed anyone in her life.

“I spoke with Nita and Stephen and she was still very shocked and shaken by the incident.

“My main concern is that the police did not warn me or my family about the previous attack or this serious assault.

“I had to rely on the Downing family to tell me what had happened. I was away on Thursday night and my wife was home alone. I am concerned that she too could have been a victim.

“The very least you could expect was a phone call.

“I feel the police have again been negligent in not warning me and my family about these threats and wonder if they have been taking the claims seriously.

“It took me eight-years to free Stephen Downing and I faced considerable police hostility throughout. It was only after his conviction was quashed in January and I published my book about his story Town Without Pity that they officially re-opened the case and began to search for the real killer.

“If they studied the case history, they would realise that there are some dangerous characters involved.

“Several witnesses reported threats in 1973 and beyond, and certainly when I began my investigations from 1994, I suffered threats, intimidation and personal attacks.

“A neighbour also reported a prowler in my rear garden that same evening. It is all too coincidental to be anything else and the attacker named us both.

“I believe this attack and other incidents are very much concerned with the murder inquiry and it follows a visit from the police to my home on Tuesday night when the police confirmed their inquiries had stirred a hornets’ nest.”

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]