A man who has spent the last 27 years in prison had his conviction for rape and murder quashed by the Court of Appeal today (18 March).

Sean Hodgson, now 57, was given a life sentence in 1982 for the murder of barmaid Teresa de Simone, 22. The case was reopened when a recent analysis of DNA evidence from the murder scene failed to match a sample taken from Hodgson. Such tests were still to be developed at the time of his conviction. The Crown did not oppose the appeal and Hodgson walked free.

Hodgson, who was represented by London criminal solicitor Julian Young, is likely to receive hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation. Young is featured as Lawyer in the News in this week’s Gazette, published tomorrow.

Speaking outside court Sean Hodgson’s brother said: ‘On behalf of my brother, I would like to thank the solicitor a million, million times.’