THE man who confessed to killing pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg may be the first to face a re-trial for murder after yesterday's historic proposal to change the 800-year-old double jeopardy rule.

Julie's mother, Ann Ming, who spearheaded a 12-year fight to reform the law which prevents people being tried twice for the same crime, was last night overwhelmed by the decision.

Home Secretary David Blunkett also announced his intention to make it retrospective, so suspects already acquitted of serious crimes such as murder, manslaughter, rape and armed robbery could find themselves back in the dock if there is "compelling new evidence".

That means former Billingham labourer Billy Dunlop could be jailed for life if convicted at a retrial of murdering the 22-year-old, who went missing in 1989.

Dunlop, formerly of Flodden Way, Billingham, walked free after being acquitted of the murder.

But, in an unprecedented case, Dunlop later admitted lying in court and confessed to the killing. He was jailed for six years for perjury.

Last night, a source close to Cleveland Police confirmed it is to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service, with a view to prosecuting the father-of-four for murder.

The reform of the trial system may also herald second trials in other notorious cases such as the murders of Stephen Lawrence and Damilola Taylor.

The Northern Echo has backed Mrs Ming's fight for justice - now being hailed as a "major victory" in the campaign for a change in the law in favour of crime victims.

Mrs Ming and husband, Charlie, from Norton, Teesside, were at the Home Office in London to hear yesterday's decision.

The 55-year-old said: "After 12 years of fighting and campaigning, for the first time ever I am speechless. I want to thank The Northern Echo and everyone who has supported us.

"Criminals now know they cannot get away with murder. I call on the Crown Prosecution Service to reopen the case on Dunlop. Today, we have finally got justice for her."

Mrs Ming discovered Julie's body behind the bath panels in her home in Grange Avenue, Billingham.

Julie, whose son Kevin was three-years-old at the time, had been sexually assaulted and mutilated.

Despite his subsequent confession, Dunlop, then aged 28, could not stand trial because of the double jeopardy rule - until now.

Clive Elliott, of the Victims of Crime Trust, said: "It is remarkable, one woman has made a change in an 800-year-old law. This is the first major victory in changing the law in favour of victims since 1874."

Another North-East mother who fought for changes to the law on murder praised Mrs Ming's courageous fight.

Pat Gibson won a famous victory in June 1996 when the ancient law which said killers couldn't be prosecuted if their victims lived more than 366 days was scrapped.

Mrs Gibson, of Darlington, launched her campaign after her son Michael died 16 months after he was the victim of an unprovoked assault.

She said: "Nothing ever compensates for the loss of a son or a daughter but at least she has the satisfaction of knowing she did everything possible - and won."

A Cleveland Police spokesman said it would study the proposals in detail before making any comment.

Last night, law experts cast doubt on the double jeopardy reform, claiming it could infringe human rights.

Bob Sullivan, professor of law at Durham University, said: "If jurors know a re-trial has been allowed because of so-called compelling evidence, it could tilt the table against the defendant." Stockton North MP Frank Cook, who has also been at the forefront of the Mings' campaign, said: 'There is still a long way to go, because we have to look at these proposals with a great deal of thought to get them right."