It's great to be free again, says 'killer' wrongly jailed 27 years ago

AN INNOCENT man walked free today after serving 27 years behind bars for a murder he did not commit.

But it was revealed he should have been freed 10 years ago were it not for forensic blunders.

Robert "Sean" Hodgson, 57, is the second-longest serving victim of a miscarriage of justice in British legal history.

As he stepped into the sunshine outside the Appeal Court today he said: "I'm ecstatic - it's great to be free again."

He was hugged by his brother Peter as they waved and punched the air.

DNA analysis, which only became available four years after his 1982 trial, proves he could not have killed barmaid Teresa De Simone.

But the appeal court heard today that an application in 1998 to the Forensic Science Laboratory for DNA testing of the murder victim's clothing had been rejected. Hodgson's then legal team were told the evidence no longer existed.

It was only last year, when Hodgson's new solicitors made fresh enquiries, that the exhibits were located and analysed, and within months he was free.

Hodgson described the blunders which kept him inside for a further 10 years as "disgraceful". They have been referred to the Forensic Regulator for investigation. Today the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, quashed Hodgson's conviction and said there would be "understandable public concern" about the mistakes.

Hodgson is looking forward to watching Sunderland play in the Premiership as his lawyers are poised to launch a major compensation demand.

Solicitor-advocate Julian Young said he will be examining the role of the Forensic Science Laboratory in leaving his client behind bars for 10 years.

Asked if he would be making a £1million compensation demand, Mr Young replied: "I am not speculating about any figure." But he said the day was Mr Hodgson's and he was "very pleased to be free and that justice has been done at long last".

Mr Hodgson has been taken "somewhere secure and safe" where he will be rehabilitated.

Originally from County Durham where his brother Peter still lives he is a fervent Sunderland supporter. Peter said: "I have had a dream for 27 years - it's a hell of a long time but it's finally come true."

Asked if he ever thought he would see this day, Hodgson replied: "No."

Ms De Simone was sexually assaulted and strangled in Southampton in 1979. Hampshire police have re-opened the murder inquiry.