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Matlock Mercury

What we have written about Matlock Mercury

Fight for justice

Stephen Downing has spent nearly 27 years in prison for a brutal murder he claims he did not commit. Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale believes Downing is innocent of the crime.Mr Hale has campaigned to bring the case to justice

High Court result at last for campaigning journalist Hale

Stephen Downing, who spent more than 27 years in prison for a murder he always claimed he did not commit, has had his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal. His case was heard largely as a result of campaigning

Don's amazing year

Campaigning editor Don Hale has described the last seven months as an “amazing time” in his life. His work to win justice for Bakewell man Stephen Downing, after 27 years in prison for a murder he has always claimed he

Speculation threat to Downing hearing

Page 1 of 2 Stories claiming the Stephen Downing case will NOT be re-investigated could prejudice the convicted murderer’s appeal hearing, campaigning editor Don Hale claimed today. A leaked Criminal Cases Review Commission document was reported in a national newspaper

Blair praise for Mercury editor

The editor of the Matlock Mercury has received praise from the Prime Minister for his campaign to win an appeal for Stephen Downing. Prisoner Stephen Downing was set free on bail on Wednesday, pending his appeal, after 27 years in

Downing hearing delay

Lawyers for the Crown Prosecution Service have been granted an extra week to decide if they will oppose bail for Derbyshire prisoner Stephen Downing. Downing, jailed 27 years ago for a murder he says he did not commit, has been

Protest march planned for Bakewell convict

A march to protest at Stephen Downing’s continued detention, after serving more than 10 years beyond his recommended prison tariff, is being planned for Bakewell on Saturday January 20. On the same day the Crown Prosecution Service must give its

Town Without Pity

April saw the launch of award-winning journalist and former Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale’s book Town Without Pity. It tells the story – both skillfully and graphically – of the author’s successful eight year campaign to clear local man Stephen

Student media shortlist is revealed

Judges of the National Student Media Awards have revealed which entries caught their eye, with the announcement of this year’s shortlist. Organisers said the competition, run by the National Union of Students in association with the Daily Mirror, attracted a

Campaigner Don collects his medal

Campaigning journalist Don Hale has been presented with his OBE by Prince Charles. Don, whose efforts to free convicted murderer Stephen Downing propelled him to nationwide fame, took his wife Kath and sons Andrew and Robert to Buckingham Palace. It

Regional journalists draw daggers

The work of two regional journalists has been shortlisted for this year’s Macallan Daggers Awards. Organised by the Crime Writers’ Association, the awards recognise the best fiction and non-fiction crime books. Former Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale has been nominated

Hale's fight rewarded with OBE

Former Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale has been awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. It was recognition for his fight to free convicted murderer Stephen Downing from prison after 27 years. The award is the latest in a

Regional press award winners celebrate

Staff at the weekly Cumberland News were celebrating after their paper was named regional newspaper of the year at the Press Gazette awards for its “outstanding” coverage of foot-and-mouth disease. The other winners, listed below, were whittled from an entry

Regional Press Awards shortlist announced

Judging is now under way to select the winners of the Press Gazette’s Regional Press Awards 2001. ITN political editor John Sergeant will present the winners, whittled from an entry of more than 700, with their awards at the Hilton

More gongs for Don!

Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale has been presented with two more awards. One is the prestigious Freedom of the Press award at the London Press Awards, the other is for boosting the prestige of the Midlands. He successfully campaigned for