'What Ann achieved is nothing short of remarkable'

RETIRED DETECTIVE SAYS HELPING GRIEVING MUM FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR HER DAUGHTER WAS A 'PRIVILEGE'

- By NAOMI CORRIGAN

THE detective who helped Ann Ming in her momentous battle for justice for her daughter told how it was "a privilege" to have been part of her inspirational story.

Mark Braithwaite first met Ann when he was assigned to the role of supporting the grieving mum and her husband Charlie.

He also helped prepare the prosecution case against their daughter's killer, Billy Dunlop.

When that failed, he backed Ann's incredible fight for justice which spanned almost two decades and went on to change British law.

Ann's real-life triumph over adversity is currently being told in the ITV drama I Fought the Law, starring Sheridan Smith.

At a screening of the show in Durham, Mark spoke of his admiration for Ann and backed growing calls for her to be granted a Damehood.

"I tell you, there are a lot of people who have been given damehoods and knighthoods for a lot less," he told The Gazette.

"She's a remarkable person."

Julie Hogg was declared a missing person in November 1989, but Ann, who said her daughter was also her best friend, knew it was unlike her to simply disappear and not to keep in touch.

Despite a police search at Julie's home uncovering nothing, it was Ann herself who eventually discovered the horrifying truth 80 days later - finding her daughter's decomposing body under the bath.

Mark was working as a detective sergeant at Cleveland Police at the time and went on to be appointed as the family liaison officer.

He told The Gazette: "After Ann's tragic discovery the team that investigated the missing person inquiry were removed and a new team were brought on to investigate Julie's killing. So I came on as a rather fresh-faced, young detective sergeant as part of the major incident team and my initial role was as a case file preparation officer.