A woman desperately trying to clear her father's name in connection with the killing of his wife 33 years ago has spoken of her disgust at a delay in progressing an appeal.

Ann Heron was found dead at her Aeolian House home on the A67 in Darlington on August 3, 1990. Her killer has never been discovered.

Her husband, Peter Heron, was arrested and charged in 2005 for the murder of his wife.

Mr Heron's daughter, Debbie Simpson, says that although the case was discontinued 12 weeks later, the damage to her father's good name and reputation remains - and a brutal killer was allowed to roam free, undetected.

Now aged 88, Mr Heron has previously pleaded with Durham police to lift the “life sentence” of suspicion under which he and his family have lived ever since.

A formal complaint was made to Durham Constabulary's Professional Standards Department, through the family solicitor, in February 2022 alleging 'incompetence and potential malfeasance by the form of falsehood'.

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Eight months after the complaint was made, an investigation into Durham Police - by the force's own professional standards team - cleared it of any wrongdoing.

An appeal against this decision to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was submitted in January this year.

Ms Simpson said: "We were advised by the IOPC that our appeal would be reviewed within 26 weeks. However, 26 weeks later - on July 14 - we were informed that the appeal had not yet even been allocated.

"In fact, we were told that it could take up to a year before it is even allocated to a caseworker - a totally unacceptable and unjust situation."

She added: "In the 18 years of campaigning for truth and justice, we have faced many brick walls as I’m sure have other families in our situation. 

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"Our experience shows that serious matters such these are very hard for the ordinary person or family to prove, especially when those who stand accused are in control. 

"But, we have had to be brave, keep fighting and stand up for what is right, otherwise nothing will ever change either for us, or other families in similar situations."

Ms Simpson described her father's situation as "a serious injustice" and added: "We have raised it through the correct channels, but it has not been investigated to its full extent. 

"Durham Constabulary must be held accountable for their actions and no matter how long it takes, we will not stop until this has either been achieved, or we have exhausted every legal avenue available to us."

In response, Detective Chief Inspector Craig Rudd, of Durham Constabulary’s Major Crime Team, said the investigation into Ann Heron's murder remains open and police will continue to search for the culprit.

He said: “The investigation into the murder of Ann Heron remains open.

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“The Major Crime Team continues to review the case and investigate any new information using advances in forensic science in the hope of identifying evidence to prove who is responsible.

“I hope this appeal on the 33-year anniversary of Ann Heron’s murder will jog someone’s memory and they come forward with any information they may have.

“Ann’s family have been left devasted by what happened, they deserve closure, and we will never give up trying to find who killed her.”