Prisoner Stephen Downing has been set free on bail after 27 years in jail for a murder he says he did not commit. Today’s High Court decision was announced pending the full hearing of his appeal. Downing was still in
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"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
Top honour for Don
Top award of Journalist of the Year in Granada Television’s What The Papers Say Awards has gone to Don Hale, Editor of the Matlock Mercury, for his investigation into the case of Stephen Downing, the teenager convicted of the Bakewell
Tonight's the night
Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale was due to find out tonight if he has picked up a prestigious What the Papers Say Award. He has been nominated for his work on the Stephen Downing case, which could see prisoner Downing
'Centralised subbing row' could spell the end for HaleDowning bail is refused
Campaigning editor Don Hale believes he is about to lose his job – in a row over centralised subbing of Johnston Press Derbyshire titles. The Matlock Mercury editor is currently in the headlines for his work to free convicted killer
Downing case breakthrough
Jailed Stephen Downing could be released from prison on Friday – after 27 years behind bars for a murder he claims he did not commit. His bail application hearing, pending an appeal, will be heard at the High Court at
Is it Hale v Redgrave for prestigious award?
A national Sunday newspaper has highlighted Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale as a contender for its ‘Man of the Year’. The Observer is asking readers to vote for their man and woman of 2000. And the campaigning editor is one
Jack Straw to be quizzed on Downing delay
The fight to free convicted murderer Stephen Downing has taken another twist with Home Secretary Jack Straw being summoned to the commons to explain delays in the appeal hearing. Here, campaigner Don Hale, editor of the Matlock Mercury, writes about
Shaken but not stirred – when things go bump in the night
Page 1 of 2 Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale and his wife endured a rough ride en route from California to Gatwick Airport. Monsoon storms forced Don Hale’s flight from John Wayne Airport in Orange County to Phoenix, Arizona, to
All in fun
Scottish First Division club Falkirk has introduced its latest recruit. Manager Alex Totten is pictured greeting former Matlock Mercury sports editor Norman Taylor (far left) to Brockville Park. This season, Norman has been commissioned to do regular caricatures of the
Can't talk – I'm off to Hollywood
Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale has unfortunately had to turn down a late offer to share the podium at a national conference with such diverse characters as William Hague and Max Boyce – because he has a prior engagement in
World War 3 and blue cars
Staff at the Matlock Mercury received a tip-off from a reader on Tuesday lunchtime that one local petrol station still had unleaded petrol – albeit at 99.9p a litre! So, a good story, and a good chance for editor Don
Whoops! Whose car was that?
News editor Andy Darlington has had a bad day. He reversed his editor’s car into the managing director’s car. And it was just after editor Don Hale, of the Matlock Mercury, was feeling very smug for having a full tank
Matlock's big day down Wembley way
A revised edition of a commemorative book about Matlock Town football club, written by Don Hale – editor of the Matlock Mercury – has been published. Called “Down Wembley Way”, the book recalls the halcyon days of the “Gladiators” glory
Readers back editor's campaign
Due to the continual demand of readers, Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale updated his paper’s website twice over the weekend with news of the campaign to free Stephen Downing. Mr Hale believes Downing has spent 27 years in jail for