A MOTHER who is fighting for justice for her murdered daughter has been promised a personal appeal to the House of Lords before they begin a debate on the ancient double jeopardy law.

Ann Ming, mother of murdered pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg, received the pledge from Criminal Justice minister Lord Falconer after she spoke to him at the North of England Victims' Association annual conference in South Shields on Saturday.

Mrs Ming, who has campaigned with husband, Charlie, and The Northern Echo to overturn the 800-year-old law since Julie's murder in 1989, was told by the minister she would get her chance to make a personal appeal before the Lords when their debate begins within the next fortnight.

MPs have already voted in favour of sweeping changes to the Criminal Justice Bill, including allowing second trials in serious cases where there is significant new evidence.

It is hoped that if the House of Lords votes for the changes, the move will be retrospective meaning the campaigning family will see justice done for Julie's murder.

Billy Dunlop confessed to killing Billingham girl Julie after he had been acquitted of her murder. But he could not be tried again for the same crime because of the double jeopardy law and instead, the labourer was found guilty of perjury.

Speaking after the conference, Mrs Ming told The Northern Echo: "The minister promised we would be able to speak before the Lords begin their debate and I hope he keeps his promise.

"We will tell them why we want it changed and ask how would they feel if it was their son or daughter.

"But I still feel apprehensive, and until I see it rubber stamped and that it's retrospective, I won't believe it.

"I'll carry on with this campaign until the day I die to get it changed."

Cleveland Police are awaiting the House of Lords debate with interest and have so far declined to say whether they would ask the CPS to re-examine Dunlop's case.