Ann Ming’s Fight for Justice: From Personal Tragedy to Legal Reform Reaches New Audiences in 2025

A Mother’s Unwavering Determination

Ann Ming achieved the remarkable feat of overturning an 800-year-old law enshrined in the Magna Carta, driven by love, grief, and unwavering determination following the harrowing murder of her daughter, Julie Hogg, in 1989.

After Julie Hogg’s murder, the case took a devastating turn when her body was discovered hidden under a bath panel. The accused, William ‘Billy’ Dunlop, was initially acquitted by a jury, but later confessed to the crime while in prison for attacking another woman. However, he was protected by the double jeopardy law.

Campaign for Change

Ming has tirelessly campaigned for crime victims’ rights, focusing on improving the legal process to be more inclusive of victim input and emotional impact. Her work with advocacy groups has helped establish platforms for victims to be heard during legal proceedings, including the introduction of victim impact statements.

Her efforts bore fruit in 2003 when the double jeopardy law was modified to allow retrials in serious cases where new and compelling evidence emerged. This legal reform paved the way for a new trial for Dunlop, and in 2006, he was convicted for Julie’s murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years.

Legacy and Recognition

In recognition of her contributions, Ming was appointed an MBE for services to the criminal justice system in 2007. Her work continues to offer hope and support to countless others navigating similar tragedies, with advocates like Ming leading the way for necessary reforms in the legal arena.

Her story is now being shared with a wider audience through ITV’s drama series ‘I Fought The Law’, which began airing on August 31, 2025. The series writer Jamie Crichton noted that while Ming isn’t a well-known name in the country, she should be – and hopefully will be through this dramatization of her extraordinary journey.

As Ann approaches her 80th birthday in December, her fight continues. Her daughter’s killer remains in prison and is currently requesting a transfer to an open prison, with a public hearing scheduled for December 2025.