The campaign to free convicted murderer Stephen Downing has taken another twist. The discovery of a birth certificate shows the victim, married housewife Wendy Sewell, had a secret love child by another man, according to Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale.
Stephen Downing
What we have written about Stephen Downing
Times takes up local editor's campaign
Editor Don Hale has had the satisfaction of seeing one of his campaigns highlighted by The Times. Mr Hale, who edits the Matlock Mercury, has led a six-year campaign to free Stephen Downing – who he believes has spent 27
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
Campaigning journalist Don Hale named as Unsung Hero
Award-winning journalist Don Hale has scooped another major prize – this time honouring unsung heroes in the North West. Don, now associate coastal editor with North Wales Newspapers, scooped the Lifetime Difference Award at the Big Difference Awards 2005 for
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
Hero award for crusading newspaperman
Campaigning journalist Don Hale has been nominated for a British Gold Hero Award in honour of his work to win justice for Stephen Downing. The awards, this year sponsored by SAGA, are given to people over the age of 50
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