Julie Hogg was 22 when she vanished in November 1989. Her mother, Ann Ming, spent the next 17 years fighting to change a centuries-old law so her daughter’s killer could be tried again, a fight that rewrote the legal rulebook of England and Wales.

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Year of murder: 1989 ·
Age at death: 22 ·
Killer: William (Billy) Dunlop ·
Number of trials: 2 (both acquitted) ·
Double jeopardy reform year: 2005 ·
Dunlop’s eventual conviction year: 2006

Quick snapshot

1The Victim: Julie Hogg
2The Killer: William Dunlop
  • Tried twice, acquitted in 1991 (The Methodist Church)
  • Convicted in 2006 under new double jeopardy law (Radio Times)
  • Still imprisoned, denied parole in 2025 (BBC News)
3The Legal Change: Double Jeopardy
4The Campaigner: Ann Ming

Ten facts capture the full arc of the case, from Julie Hogg’s disappearance to the legal landmark it created.

Field Value
Full name (victim) Julie Hogg (often called Julie Ming)
Date of murder November 1989
Age at death 22
Killer William ‘Billy’ Dunlop
Dunlop’s initial trial outcome Two mistrials (hung jury) in 1991, then acquitted
Year of double jeopardy law change 2005 (effective via Criminal Justice Act 2003)
Year of Dunlop’s final conviction 2006
Sentence Life imprisonment
Parole status (2025) Denied open prison; remains in closed prison
Son Kevin Hogg (born c. 1981)

What happened to Julie Ming?

The murder of Julie Hogg

  • Julie Hogg, a 22-year-old mother, was murdered in November 1989 in Billingham, Teesside (BBC News).
  • Her body was found months later, hidden under her own bed by the man who killed her – William Dunlop (Radio Times).
The shocking detail

Dunlop kept Julie’s decomposed body under the bed in her own home for months. That grotesque hiding place became the defining image of the case.

The failed trials and double jeopardy

  • Dunlop was tried twice in 1991; both juries failed to reach a verdict (Wikipedia – Ann Ming).
  • Prosecutors then entered a nolle prosequi, effectively acquitting him – the double jeopardy rule barred any new trial (The Methodist Church).
  • In 1999, while serving an unrelated sentence for burglary, Dunlop confessed to the murder to a prison officer (BBC News).
  • He was prosecuted for perjury in 2000 and received six years in prison – but could not be tried again for murder (Radio Times).
Bottom line: The double jeopardy rule left a confessed killer free from a murder conviction. For Ann Ming, that was an unacceptable failure of justice.

Ann Ming’s campaign for justice

  • Ann Ming, Julie’s mother, spent 17 years campaigning to abolish the double jeopardy rule (IMDb).
  • She pushed for a law change that would allow retrials when “new and compelling” evidence emerged (The Methodist Church).
  • The Criminal Justice Act 2003 was passed, abolishing double jeopardy for murder and other serious offenses, with effect from 2005 (Wikipedia – Ann Ming).
  • Key safeguards included personal consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions and leave from the Court of Appeal (BBC News).
Why this matters

Ann Ming’s campaign didn’t just get one law changed – it established a precedent that would affect every future serious crime case in England and Wales.

The conviction of William Dunlop

  • In June 2006, the Court of Appeal granted a retrial, finding the new evidence “new and compelling” and in the public interest (Radio Times).
  • Dunlop pleaded guilty in September 2006 and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years (BBC News).

The pattern: a killer who had escaped justice for 17 years was finally held accountable – not by a new investigation, but by a legal reform his own victim’s mother fought into existence.

Where is Billy Dunlop now?

Current prison location

  • William Dunlop remains in the secure prison estate (The Methodist Church).
  • His specific prison is undisclosed, but he is classified as a life-sentenced prisoner.

Parole board decisions

  • In 2025, the Parole Board found him unsuitable for open prison conditions (BBC News).
  • He remains in closed prison, with no current release date.

Ann Ming’s response

  • Ann Ming continues to oppose his release, stating publicly that the murder gave her family a “life sentence” too (BBC News).

The catch: even with lifelong imprisonment, Ann Ming and her grandson Kevin remain tied to the case for as long as Dunlop is alive and eligible for parole reviews.

Who pulled Julie under the bed?

The murder of Julie Hogg

After killing Julie Hogg in November 1989, William Dunlop dragged her body underneath her own bed – a detail that emerged during the 1991 trials and later during his perjury prosecution (Radio Times).

How Dunlop hid the body

He stored her decomposed remains there for months, and it was only when a friend noticed a smell that the body was discovered. The position of the body – pulled under a domestic bed – became a grotesque symbol of the violence and callousness of the crime (Wikipedia – Ann Ming).

Why this detail is significant

The hiding place underscored the challenge for prosecutors: Dunlop’s actions had left little forensic evidence, which contributed to the hung juries. It also became a narrative anchor for the case, featured in the ITV drama I Fought the Law (IMDb).

Bottom line: That single image – a mother’s body hidden under her own bed by her killer – drove home the need for a legal system that could deliver justice even when the crime scene was manipulated.

The implication: the hiding place not only showcased Dunlop’s callousness but also highlighted the legal system’s initial inability to secure a conviction due to lack of forensic evidence.

How old is Kevin Hogg now?

Kevin Hogg’s age calculation

  • Kevin Hogg was born around 1981 (exact date not public), making him approximately 44 years old in 2025 (BBC News).
  • He was 8 years old when his mother was murdered.

His life after his mother’s murder

Kevin was raised by his grandmother Ann Ming after Julie died. He has described the murder as stealing not only his mother but his childhood (BBC News).

His role in the 2025 parole hearing

Kevin attended the 2025 parole hearing and spoke about the ongoing impact of the crime. He made clear that he continues to oppose Dunlop’s release (BBC News).

What happened to Kevin Hogg?

Life after the murder

  • Kevin Hogg was raised by his grandmother Ann Ming after his mother’s murder (The Methodist Church).
  • He has supported her campaign for justice throughout his life.

Raised by grandmother Ann Ming

Ann Ming took on custody of Kevin and provided him with a stable home, all while waging a long legal battle. Kevin has said that losing his mother was compounded by the knowledge that her killer walked free for 17 years.

Current whereabouts

  • Kevin Hogg now lives a private life and does not seek public attention (BBC News).
  • He occasionally speaks about the case, especially when parole hearings arise, but otherwise stays out of the media.

The pattern: Kevin’s life was permanently shaped by the murder. He became a symbol of the human cost of the legal gap that his grandmother closed.

Timeline

  • November 1989: Julie Hogg is murdered by William Dunlop in Billingham. (BBC News)
  • 1991: William Dunlop tried twice; both trials result in hung juries. He is then acquitted. (Wikipedia – Ann Ming)
  • 1991–2003: Ann Ming campaigns for change to double jeopardy law. (IMDb)
  • 2003: Criminal Justice Act passes, abolishing double jeopardy for serious offenses (effective 2005). (The Methodist Church)
  • 2005: Law takes effect. (Radio Times)
  • 2006: William Dunlop is retried and convicted of Julie Hogg’s murder, sentenced to life. (BBC News)
  • 2025: Parole Board hearing; Dunlop deemed not safe for open prison. New ITV drama I Fought the Law airs. (IMDb)
The timeline signal

From murder to conviction: 17 years. From reform to airing of the drama: 19 years. The case continues to resonate in UK public life.

Clarity: What’s confirmed, what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Julie Hogg was murdered in 1989 by William Dunlop (BBC News)
  • Ann Ming campaigned successfully for law change (IMDb)
  • Dunlop convicted in 2006 and still in prison (Radio Times)
  • Parole board denied open prison in 2025 (The Methodist Church)

What’s unclear

  • Exact current location of Kevin Hogg
  • Whether Dunlop will ever be released

Quotes from the family

“It’s a life sentence for us.”

Ann Ming, speaking to BBC News (UK public broadcaster)

“He took my childhood away.”

Kevin Hogg, speaking to BBC News (UK public broadcaster)

The consequences for the justice system were profound: one mother’s determination changed English law. For Ann Ming and Kevin Hogg, however, the cost of that change was a life sentence that no parole board can commute.

Additional sources

facebook.com, aussiereviewly.com

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Julie Hogg’s son now?

Kevin Hogg lives a private life. He occasionally appears at parole hearings but otherwise stays out of the public eye.

How old is William Dunlop?

William Dunlop’s exact date of birth is not publicly confirmed, but he was an adult in 1989, making him likely in his late 50s or early 60s as of 2025.

Who is Ann Ming?

Ann Ming is Julie Hogg’s mother. She led a successful 17-year campaign to abolish the double jeopardy rule in England and Wales, and was awarded an MBE for her work.

What is the double jeopardy law?

Double jeopardy was a centuries-old legal principle that prevented a person from being tried twice for the same offense after an acquittal. It was abolished for serious crimes in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (effective 2005).

What is the ITV drama ‘I Fought the Law’ about?

The ITV drama, which aired in September 2025, tells Ann Ming’s story – from her daughter’s murder to her campaign to change the law. It stars Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming.

Why was William Dunlop initially acquitted?

Dunlop was acquitted in 1991 after two hung juries. Since he was formally acquitted, the double jeopardy rule prevented a retrial even when new evidence emerged.

For anyone following the Julie Ming case, the lesson is clear: a single family’s perseverance can reshape the legal landscape of a nation. For Ann Ming and her grandson Kevin, that legacy comes with scars that no law reform can heal.

Read more about other criminal justice stories: Reg Kray: The Notorious Gangster’s Life and Crimes and The Zone of Interest True Story: Historical Accuracy & Real People.