Playing real people is a privilege. It's important to me that I do Ann justice

SHERIDAN SMITH STARS IN THE TRUE STORY OF A MUM WHO FOUGHT TO ENSURE HER CHILD'S KILLER PAID FOR HIS CRIME. BY LYNN RUSK

- BY LYNN RUSK

ON November 16, 1989, Julie Hogg, a 22-year-old mother-of-one, was strangled by William Dunlop, who then hid her body behind a bath panel, where it lay undiscovered for more than two months.

Dunlop, known as Billy, was tried twice for the murder, but both juries failed to reach a verdict.

Three years later, while in jail for another crime, he confessed and admitted to lying in court, boasting that there was nothing anyone could do because of the double jeopardy rule in place at the time.

Julie's mother, Ann Ming, then campaigned for 15 years to get the 800-year-old law changed so that Dunlop could be charged for the same crime twice. In 2006, he became the first person to be tried under the new rules. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Almost 36 years after Julie’s murder, a new four-part drama series titled I Fought the Law tells the story of Ann’s relentless pursuit of justice.

The series stars BAFTA-winning actor Sheridan Smith as Ann and is based on her memoir, For the Love of Julie.

“Playing real people is a privilege, and it’s why I do what I do,” says Lincolnshire-born Sheridan.

“I instantly knew that I had to play Ann because of her story, her resilience, her strength, and everything she went through to fight an 800-year-old law. She just wouldn't give up.”

The 44-year-old TV and stage star, who has previously played a mother who loses a child, says the experience this time felt very different because she is now a mother herself.