If Stephen was not guilty who the hell was?

Ray Downing Stephen's father

And according to the man who led the campaign to free Mr Downing, there are people in the picturesque Derbyshire town who could supply the answer.

"This is a small rural community," says Don Hale, until recently the editor of the Matlock Mercury.

"Everyone knows everyone, and there are a lot of people around here with motives for keeping this quiet."

Murder weapon

The mystery began in 1973 in Bakewell's cemetery. A 32-year-old typist, Wendy Sewell, was struck several times on the head with a pickaxe handle.

Stephen Downing: wrongly convicted of murder

The killer left the murder weapon behind as he made his escape.

Stephen Downing, then aged 17, found the woman lying on the ground, covered in blood. He went to the police station voluntarily, but quickly became the prime suspect.

Stephen, who had learning difficulties, was questioned for nine hours without a lawyer being present. He confession was secured in a way that would not be allowed today.

"There was a lot of pressure on the police to get a quick conviction," says Mr Hale.

"The way Stephen was treated was awful. He was very frightened, and a policeman took down the statement for him.

"There were lines of inquiry that should have been followed up on day one, but they were never investigated."

New evidence

After being convicted, Stephen was forgotten by all but his family and friends. They convinced Mr Hale to take up their case in the columns of the local paper.

Fresh evidence

Other men were seen in and around the murder scene Some suspects were never interviewed by the police New witnesses say Stephen was not in the cemetery at the time of the attack Blood and hairs on murder weapon could provide DNA profile of the killer

Over a period of several years, the editor gathered together new evidence that cast serious doubts about the original investigation.

For him, it is not enough for Stephen Downing to be cleared. He wants the police to reopen the investigation, to find the real killer.

"In my opinion, there is clear evidence to indicate that others were responsible," he says.

"There are five people who were in and around the scene of the crime. Two have never been interviewed by the police."

Mr Hale knows that his investigation has made him enemies. He has received anonymous threats, and says that on two occasions, cars came close to running him over.

Keeping quiet

The disturbing conclusion is that for 27 years, some local people with knowledge that might have freed Stephen Downing chose to remain silent, perhaps because of a guilty secret.

Wendy Sewell: brutally attacked with pickaxe handle

"Various people have not wanted to get involved," he said.

"I have had to convince people that this case was worth looking into. Information has been suppressed."

Police investigating the murder today would have the benefit of one scientific advance not available in 1973 - DNA profiling.

The murder weapon, a pickaxe handle, was smeared with blood and hair, evidence that could point to the person who swung the weapon down on the head of Wendy Sewell.

It would not be the first time that a killer has been identified, years after the crime.

New inquiry

Among those calling for a fresh investigation, by an outside police force, is the MP for West Derbyshire, Patrick McLoughlin.

The Downing family want the real killer found

"For the people of Bakewell, and the Sewell family, the inquiry should be reopened," he says.

"What worries me is that the person who originally carried out the murder has not been caught, and it demands an investigation.

"I am appalled that a man has lost 27 years of his liberty over what has obviously been a miscarriage of justice.

"I hope we have learned lessons from it."

For Stephen Downing and his family, the decision by the Court of Appeal brings an end to months of anxiety since his release, as they waited for the legal process to be concluded.

But they will also be hoping the police will now be able to find the person who remained free while he languished in prison.