A NORTH-EAST man accused of murdering a young mother 14 years ago will be the first person in Britain to have his case referred to the Court of Appeal under double jeopardy laws, it was revealed last night.

Billy Dunlop, 42, faced two trials for the murder of his girlfriend, 22-year-old pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg, in Billingham, near Stockton. Each time, a jury failed to reach a verdict.

The director of public prosecutions (DPP) Ken Macdonald QC has now given his consent for Mr Dunlop's case to be referred to the Court of Appeal.

Julie's disappearance in November 1989 was initially treated as a missing persons inquiry, before the body of the mother-of-one was discovered behind her bath by her mother, Ann Ming.

The Court of Appeal is expected to decide in the New Year whether Mr Dunlop, a former labourer, will stand trial again after the scrapping of the double jeopardy rule in April.

The law was changed after a campaign by Mrs Ming, supported by The Northern Echo.

Under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the 800-year-old law was amended, allowing suspects acquitted at trial to be tried for the same crime again if there was compelling new evidence.

Last night, the legal move was welcomed by friends of Mrs Ming and fellow campaigners.

June Holme, of Support Against Murder and Manslaughter, and a friend of Mrs Ming, said: "Ann has been fighting for a long time. She will never give up. Nobody could have fought as hard as Ann. She is a remarkable woman."

Mr Macdonald said that after looking at submissions from the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Cleveland, Martin Goldman, he was satisfied the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) should apply for a retrial.

Under the Act, the Court of Appeal has the power to quash an acquittal and order a retrial if there is new evidence relevant to the guilt of the acquitted person and if it is in the interests of justice.

Mr Goldman said: "Once the law on double jeopardy changed, Cleveland Police and the CPS re-examined the case and I decided the DPP should be asked for his consent for the case to go before the Court of Appeal.

"It is now for the Court of Appeal to decide whether or not William Dunlop should be tried again for the murder of Julie Hogg."

Chief Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, of Cleveland Police, said police had been working closely with the CPS and they welcomed yesterday's decision.

He said: "The family of Julie Hogg are being kept fully informed of this development."

Mrs Ming and her family are unable to comment on the proceedings