Sheridan Smith filming ITV 'I Fought the Law' in North East

The actress, who is known for her roles in 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps', 'Gavin and Stacey', and 'Cilla' among other projects, was seen in RSPB Saltholme nature reserve, near Billingham, earlier this week.

In footage captured and shared to the Billingham Alert, News and Info group, the actress can be seen in a car being filmed by other vehicles around it.

It's understood that the actress was in the North East as part of filming for ITV's 'I Fought The Law' series, which was announced by the TV channel back in May. 

Sheridan Smith in a car at Saltholme (Image: BILLINGHAM ALERT, NEWS AND INFO) In the TV show, Smith will be playing real-life double jeopardy campaigner Ann Ming.

The forthcoming four-part series tells the story of Ms Ming’s determination to change the law and bring her daughter’s murderer to justice.

Ms Ming, who campaigned for years to get the 800-year-old law changed, is acting as a consultant throughout the production process.

Sheridan Smith at filming previously in North Tyneside (Image: PA MEDIA) Her daughter, 22-year-old Julie Hogg, died in Billingham, in 1989 after William Dunlop strangled her and hid her mutilated body behind a bath panel where it lay undiscovered for months.

Dunlop was tried twice for Miss Hogg’s murder but both juries failed to reach a verdict.

When later serving time behind bars for another crime, Dunlop confessed and admitted lying in court, boasting there was nothing anyone could do about it because of the double jeopardy rule in place at the time.

Cleveland Police handout photo of Julie Hogg (Image: PA MEDIA) According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which widely came into effect in 2005, “reforms the law relating to double jeopardy, by permitting retrials in respect of several very serious offences, where new and compelling evidence has come to light”.

Previously, the law did not permit a person who has been acquitted or convicted of an offence to be retried for that same offence.

Ann Ming, the mother of murdered Julie Hogg, who will be portrayed by Sheridan Smith in upcoming ITV drama I Fought the Law (Image: PA MEDIA) In 2006 Dunlop was convicted of murder, under the new rules, and jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years.

Ms Ming was made an MBE in 2007 in recognition of her services to the criminal justice system.

This sighting of Sheridan Smith comes after she was spotted in Shiremoor, North Tyneside, where the TV and stage star, 43, was seen with short blonde hair wearing a quilted dark magenta jacket standing outside a row of houses back in August this year.

Most read:

• Homeless man stole and robbed from Durham and Bishop Auckland stores in summer spree

• North East weather LIVE: Two flood alerts issued as region battered by rain

• Flood alert issued across County Durham as heavy showers rain down on North East

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access to the latest offer for annual or monthly subscription. Click here for details.

Speaking previously about playing the character on TV, Sheridan said: “I am so honoured to have been asked to play the role of Ann Ming, a mother so determined to fight for justice for her murdered daughter that she spent 15 years campaigning for the double jeopardy law to be changed.

“She is a truly courageous and remarkable woman to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude.”

I Fought The Law, written by Jamie Crichton, is based on Ms Ming’s book For The Love Of Julie and will air on ITV1 and ITVX.