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
Stephen Downing
What we have written about Stephen Downing
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
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
Ludovic Kennedy joins Don Hale for injuctice date
Journalist Don Hale is to share the same stage as veteran human rights campaigner Ludovic Kennedy, as they discuss Don’s successful campaign to free Stephen Downing, who was jailed for murder. Former Matlock Mercury editor Don won awards and plaudits
Dramatic reading of journalist's work
Readings from a true-life crime book by journalist Don Hale will form the centrepiece to a literary event at the Wirksworth Festival. Don Hale, a former editor of the Matlock Mercury, lives in the Derbyshire town and his book Town
Journalist Hale threatened by pensioner's attacker
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
Writer's expertise could free more prisoners
Investigative journalist Don Hale has become involved in several high-profile cases as a direct result of his success in securing Stephen Downing’s freedom from prison after he was wrongly locked up for 27 years. Don, former editor of the Matlock
UK journalist's mercy plea for US death row convict
Campaigning journalist Don Hale faced the ultimate challenge when he was asked to appeal for clemency for a convicted killer – facing a lethal injection this week on America’s Death Row. A top defence attorney contacted Don a fortnight ago
Former editor lends a hand to Bury FC
Former Bury FC player Don Hale has responded to an appeal to help save the cash-strapped club – by offering some of the profits of his book Town Without Pity to the team. Don used to be the Matlock Mercury
Hale addresses MPs on justice
Journalist Don Hale has spoken to MPs about his experience with the criminal justice system. He addressed the House of Commons Select Committee while he was at the Commons on a separate matter – to mark the first anniversary of
Major push as new evidence is published
In a busy week for former newspaper editor Don Hale, the author has been on the road to promote his book Town Without Pity and has completed around 35 TV and radio interviews. The book charts the story of Stephen
News in brief
Former Matlock Mercury editor Don hale will be pitting his wits against a range of celebrities as he faces the “queen of mean” Ann Robinson for a special edition of The Weakest Link on Thursday.He will be playing for a
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