In the small Derbyshire town of Bakewell, Stephen Downing has become something of a celebrity.

On the street, people stop to say hello and ask how he is. There are smiles, handshakes, and words of encouragement.

"When Stephen came home, he was treated almost like a cup final hero," says Don Hale, the editor of the local newspaper, who campaigned on his behalf.

I am just grateful it is all over and hopefully I will be allowed to go back into the community with my head held high Stephen Downing

It is a remarkable transformation, because Mr Downing served 27 years in prison for one of the most brutal murders ever committed in these parts.

Only now, everyone knows that he didn't do it. The decision by the Court of Appeal to quash his conviction has confirmed the suspicions of many that he was the victim of a dreadful miscarriage of justice.

Bloody body

In 1973 Stephen Downing's world was turned upside down when he was arrested for the murder of a woman near his home in Bakewell, in Derbyshire.

Wendy Sewell: Victim of a brutal attack

Wendy Sewell, a 32-year-old typist, was the victim of a savage attack. She was beaten with a pickaxe handle in a cemetery, and died later in hospital without revealing the identity of her attacker.

Mr Downing, then 17, worked there as a groundsman. He told police that when he returned to the cemetery after lunch, he had found the woman lying on the ground, covered in blood.

Detectives did not believe him, and continued to question him for nine hours.

Eventually, the teenager signed a confession. Mr Downing's father, Ray, said his son's reaction was: "If I sign this piece of paper they'll let me go home."

False confession

At that stage, Wendy Sewell was still alive. It was only after Stephen Downing signed the confession that she died, turning a case of assault into a murder investigation.

The confession

Questioned for nine hours without a lawyer present He could barely read or write Statement was written out by a police officer Was he properly advised of legal rights?

The teenager retracted his confession, but it remained a key part of the prosecution's case against him.

When the case came to trial, the jury took just one hour to return a unanimous verdict of guilty.

To many people in Bakewell, Mr Downing seemed an unlikely killer. His parents described him as a gentle boy. He had never had a girlfriend, and his learning difficulties meant he could barely read or write.

He was told he would have to serve a minimum of 17 years. In fact, he remained behind bars for a further 10 years.

By continuing to maintain his innocence - he was "in denial of murder" according to the Home Office - he ruled himself out of consideration for parole.

Flawed case

For years Mr Downing was forgotten by everyone except his family and friends. But eventually a letter from them landed on the desk of Don Hale, then the editor of the local newspaper, the Matlock Mercury.

Campaigning editor Don Hale highlighted the case

His initial reaction was "not to touch it with a bargepole", but the more he looked at the evidence, the more he was struck by the inconsistencies in the prosecution's case.

"My investigation was not to find the killer, but to try to clear Stephen Downing," he says.

Mr Downing's fingerprints were not on the murder weapon. Yet a palm print was found on the pickaxe handle, along with unidentified hairs and fibres.

In addition, concern grew about the way the interrogation had been conducted by the police.

Growing doubts

The teenager had been questioned without a lawyer being present, and there were serious doubts about whether he had been properly advised of his legal rights.

There is no point in feeling bitter, I think I would just be punishing myself. Who should I feel bitter against? The system? Stephen Downing

He described how the statement he had signed, confessing to the crime, had been written out for him by a police officer.

None of these facts were made known to the jury that convicted him.

As a result of the growing unease over his conviction, the Criminal Cases Review Commission referred the case back to the Court of Appeal.

The outcome was in little doubt, and Mr Downing was released on bail.

Compensation

Now 45, Stephen Downing has had almost 12 months to re-adjust to life outside prison. He is working as a trainee chef in a local restaurant, making use of skills he learned in prison.

Stephen Downing's family never gave up hope

"I am just grateful it is all over," he says.

"Hopefully I will be allowed to fit back into the community with my head held high and just try to live as normal a life as possible."

Mr Downing stands to receive substantial compensation for the time he spent in prison, and it could make him a millionaire. But his supporters say that nothing can compensate him for losing the best years of his life.

However, he displays no anger over what has happened.

"There is no point in feeling bitter," he says.

"Who would I feel bitter against? The system? I think I would be punishing myself."