I Fought the Law True Story: The Julie Hogg Case and the Mother Who Broke 800 Years of Law

By Myrl Langston

In November 1989, 22-year-old Julie Hogg vanished from her home in Billingham, County Durham. When police dismissed her disappearance as a young woman simply leaving town, her mother Ann Ming knew better. Three agonizing months later, Ann made a discovery that would haunt her forever-she found Julie's decomposing body hidden behind a bath panel in her own daughter's bathroom, a location that police had somehow missed during their investigation.

But discovering her daughter's murdered body was only the beginning of Ann's nightmare. Despite overwhelming evidence, despite knowing the killer's identity, despite even having his recorded confession, an ancient legal principle stood between justice and Julie's murderer. The 800-year-old double jeopardy law meant that once acquitted, William "Billy" Dunlop could never be tried again for the same crime-no matter what new evidence emerged.

Armed with nothing but a mother's love and unbreakable determination, Ann Ming embarked on what seemed like an impossible mission. For 17 grueling years, she battled the Crown Prosecution Service, the Law Commission, government ministers, and two Home Secretaries. She gave impassioned speeches in the House of Lords, faced down prominent defense barristers in televised debates, and refused to accept that ancient law could protect modern killers.

Meanwhile, Dunlop walked free, bragging about his "perfect murder" in local pubs, secure in the knowledge that medieval legal protections made him untouchable. But he had underestimated the power of a grieving mother's fury and the unstoppable force of love transformed into action.

This gripping true story reveals the shocking details behind one of Britain's most significant legal reforms-a case so extraordinary it inspired the hit ITV series starring Sheridan Smith. You'll uncover the full truth about Julie's brutal murder, the police failures that compounded her family's agony, and the legal loopholes that nearly allowed a killer to escape justice forever.

But this isn't just a true crime story. It's an inspiring testament to the power of ordinary people to create extraordinary change. Ann Ming's victory didn't just deliver justice for Julie-it opened the door for other landmark convictions, including the Stephen Lawrence case, and fundamentally changed how British law approaches serious crimes.

Through exclusive insights drawn from court records, media coverage, and the recent television dramatization, you'll witness how one woman's refusal to accept injustice literally rewrote the law books and created a legacy that continues to protect families today.

Don't just watch the drama-discover the full, devastating, and ultimately triumphant true story that proves sometimes you really do have to fight the law to serve justice. This is more than a true crime story; it's a masterclass in perseverance, a testament to love's power, and proof that even the most entrenched systems can be changed by those brave enough to challenge them.

Get your copy today and join the millions who have been moved by Ann Ming's extraordinary journey from grieving mother to legal revolutionary. Her story will inspire you, anger you, and ultimately restore your faith in the power of ordinary people to achieve the impossible.

Because some fights are worth everything-and some mothers will never give up.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FPR4GS5W
• ISBN13: 9798263668761
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"