The true story behind "I Fought the Law" centers on Ann Ming, whose 22-year- old daughter Julie Hogg was murdered in 1989 in Billingham, County Durham. Julie was strangled by her neighbor William "Billy" Dunlop, who initially was acquitted of her murder after two trials. Dunlop confessed to the murder while imprisoned for another crime but could not be retried due to the 800-year-old British double jeopardy law, which prevented someone from being tried twice for the same crime. Ann Ming campaigned for 17 years to change this law. In 2003, the double jeopardy law was amended to allow retrials for serious cases if new compelling evidence surfaced. This change enabled Dunlop to be retried, and in 2006, he pleaded guilty to Julie's murder and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years. Ann Ming's persistent fight to change the law ensured justice for her daughter and influenced a significant legal reform in the UK.
The ITV series "I Fought the Law" dramatizes this gripping true story, with Sheridan Smith portraying Ann Ming. The series is based on Ann Ming's memoir "For the Love of Julie," closely following the real events of her fight for justice.
