A WOMAN found dead in a psychiatric hospital while awaiting sentence for blackmailing an international footballer had been granted leave to appeal against her conviction.
Former beauty queen Carolyn Pick, 36, of Washington, Wearside, was found dead on Friday.
Hours later, her solicitor, Barry Row, received confirmation that she could launch a legal bid to clear her name.
Mr Row said: "It is very sad not knowing the first stage to clear her name had been granted.
"She had been worried about going to prison. We only heard about leave to appeal being granted on Friday."
Pick was found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court in October last year of two counts of blackmailing the former footballer, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
She was held at St Luke's Hospital, Middlesbrough, while awaiting sentence.
Mr Row said he would wait until after the funeral before contacting the family to see if they wanted to continue the appeal process.
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