'I didn't do any of it for recognition, I did it for justice for my daughter'

JUSTICE campaigner Ann Ming MBE brought an audience to its feet as she received an award for her fight to change an ancient law.

- By NAOMI CORRIGAN

The Norton gran was guest of honour at the eighth annual Tees Businesswomen Awards, held at Hardwick Hall hotel on Thursday.

She received a standing ovation as she accepted the final honour of the night, the Professor Jane Turner Award for Outstanding Contribution.

Ann fought for 17 years to overturn the ancient double jeopardy law that led to her daughter's killer Billy Dunlop finally being locked up for his horrific crime.

"I didn’t do any of it for recognition, I did it for justice for my daughter" she told Tees Business, which organises the glittering event to celebrate inspirational women on Teesside.

"When my daughter's killer was bragging he'd killed her and the police said nothing could be done because of the double jeopardy law, an 800-year-old law wasn't going to stand in my way," said Ann.

"Every time there's a double jeopardy case - and there's been 16 after ours, I’m so pleased I carried on for everyone else's sake."

Ann’s heartbreaking but influential story was depicted in September in the ITV drama, I Fought The Law, with the Teesside hero played by actress Sheridan Smith. Although she couldn’t attend the ceremony, a message from Sheridan was read out on the night.