LONDON – An “ecstatic” Seán Hodgson yesterday enjoyed his first taste of freedom in 27 years after the murder conviction which landed him behind bars was declared unsafe by the Court of Appeal for England and Wales.
Mr Hodgson (57), was freed by three judges in London who ruled fresh DNA evidence had “demolished” the case against him over the “terrible death” in 1979 of young gas board clerk and part-time barmaid Teresa De Simone.
DNA tests, not available at the time of his trial in 1982, have revealed he could not have been the killer of Ms De Simone (22), who was strangled and raped in Southampton.
It emerged yesterday that tests could have been carried out a decade ago but his then lawyers were wrongly told that case exhibits had not been retained. The failure has been referred to the forensic service regulator.
A frail-looking Mr Hodgson, who was physically supported by his brother Peter, told waiting reporters as he made his way out of the Royal Courts of Justice into the spring sunshine that he felt “ecstatic”.
His solicitor, Julian Young, said his client was obviously relieved that his denials had been accepted and his innocence, which he had maintained for so many years, confirmed.
The quashing of Mr Hodgson’s conviction was announced by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, who described it as a “dismal story” which “leaves some important unanswered questions”.
“Perhaps the most important is that we do not know who raped and killed the dead girl.”
Police have launched a new investigation into the 30-year-old murder aimed at identifying the owner of the DNA profile. Det Chief Insp Philip McTavish of Hampshire Police said outside court that a major incident room had been set up and that with advances in science it should be possible to eliminate suspects from the new inquiry.
Mr Hodgson, who has suffered mental and physical health problems for many years, was now being helped by a miscarriage of justice team and would be visiting healthcare professionals.
It is expected that moves will be made to seek compensation for Mr Hodgson, who is now one of the longest-serving victims of a miscarriage of justice.
Mr Hodgson, who is also known as Robert Graham Hodgson and is originally from Co Durham, made various confessions before pleading not guilty at his trial at Winchester Crown Court. Prosecutors relied on those confessions and match of blood type with samples found at the scene. Mr Hodgson’s defence team argued that he was a pathological liar and that the confessions were false. – (PA)