Wrongly Accused: The Annette Hewins Story

With her conviction for triple murder overturned and the Royal Court of Justice ruling ‘there was no sufficient evidence to convict her’, Annette is finally free from prison, but will she ever recover from its effects? Convict turned detective, Annette campaigns for a police re-investigation of the Gurnos Fire murders. Annette tells reporters she will fight for the rest of her life to bring the real killers to justice. Is there any hidden or forgotten information that can provide insights into what really happened to Diane Jones and her children? Annette also demands a police review about how such a miscarriage of justice happens. Tables finally turn, and Annette puts South Wales Police in the dock. Nicole Jacob, Annette’s daughter, continues her mission to find out the truth about what really happened. Nicole is passed a secret leaked police report compiled 20 years ago, which contains some of the answers her mother so desperately wanted. The content of the report about the Gurnos Fire is revealed for the first time. An Inspire Film and Television Production for BBC Sounds. Credits: Narrator: Nicole Jacob Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer Post Production: Bang Archive: Miles Orchard Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick

Judges at London's Royal Court of Appeal rule in the case of Annette Hewins, there was insufficient evidence to convict her, and she walks free. She is released and returns home only to find life more challenging than ever. This is compounded by a statement by police released to the media telling her not to return to her home town. Nicole hears herself at the age of 7 talking about the difficult time without her Mum, and how she is so happy to have her home. An Inspire Film and Television Production for BBC Sounds. Credits: Narrator: Nicole Jacob Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer Post Production: Bang Archive: Miles Orchard Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick

The jury returns with a 10-2 majority verdict. Annette faces a long time in prison, but still insists that she is innocent. Her mother-in-law, Veronica, gradually gets an appeals campaign underway. Top solicitors, journalists and family members join the cause. As the campaign progresses there is increasing concern about Annette's worsening mental health in prison. Will she survive in prison long enough to see if her Appeal hearing is granted? An Inspire Film and Television Production for BBC Sounds. Credits: Narrator: Nicole Jacob Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer Post Production: Bang Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick

Annette Hewins stands in the dock accused of triple murder. The prosecution claims Annette syphoned petrol from her car to commit arson, tragically taking the lives of a mother and two children. But what do we know about the type of petrol used in the fire, and was it the same as the petrol Annette bought for her car? At trial, an astonishing battle between two forensic scientists commences in the courtroom, one for the prosecution and one for the defence. They conduct very different tests, so which scientist was correct? A world-leading arson investigator re-examines the tests conducted by the forensic scientists. What will he reveal, and what does this mean for Annette and her co-defendants Donna Clarke and Denise Sullivan? An Inspire Film and Television Production for BBC Sounds. Credits: Narrator: Nicole Jacob Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer Post Production: Bang Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick

The trial begins as Annette and her co-defendants, Donna and Denise, face charges of triple murder. Central to the prosecution's argument lies the contradictory testimonies given by a 17-year-old girl, 'Subject A,' initially a suspect but later a witness. The defence argue Subject A's statements to the police were extracted through undue pressure. The fate of the women hung in the balance. Whose testimony will the jury believe? Annette's daughter, Nicole, investigates seeking the opinion of an expert in ethical interviewing techniques. Credits: Narrator: Nicole Jacob Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick. Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch Post Production: Bang Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick