Don Hale has welcomed the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision that he will not be prosecuted after a police investigation into allegations that he perverted the course of justice in his campaign to quash Stephen Downing’s murder conviction.
The investigation was prompted by complaints from David Sewell, widower of murder victim Wendy Sewell.
Hale said: “I am pleased to note that following a thorough seven-month investigation by Derbyshire Constabulary, all complaints have been quite properly rejected. “The recent inquiry has fully scrutinised all my documentation relating to the case, including an account contained within my book Town Without Pity. Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the police have confirmed there are no grounds on which to base any further investigation, nor indeed a prosecution for any offence.”
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Hale feels the investigation has exonerated him from any criticism surrounding his involvement in the campaign to free Stephen Downing.
He added: “I have always totally refuted all the claims made by Mr Sewell and others that I may have committed perjury, perverted the course of justice or committed any other criminal offence.
“It has also been a matter of great concern to me that it has been said by certain parties that I may have deliberately distorted, embellished, fabricated or withheld some evidence during my lengthy campaign to help free Stephen Downing. This is, of course, completely untrue and I have always categorically denied any and all of these false claims.”
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By Jon Slattery
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