AS tearful Ann Ming left the Home Office building in London 12 years after she began her fight for justice, she signalled her triumph to the waiting crowd of journalists crying out two words: "It's retrospective!"

"Those two little words are magical," she said. "We can finally sense justice for our daughter."

Before David Blunkett's announcement on the criminal justice reforms, Mrs Ming had not dared to hope for this result. She travelled to London with husband Charlie and Julie's son, Kevin, to hear if an 800-year-old law would be overturned.

Waiting at Darlington station to board the train to London, she said: "After all these years I can't believe we are just a few hours away from hearing the result of our campaign."

Ann was prepared for bad news, defiantly saying she would go to the European Court of Human Rights if British justice failed Julie.

But with those two hugely significant words, the Mings' fight took an historic step forward. Once the changes become law, there is every chance that Billy Dunlop, the man who confessed to killing Julie, could face a retrial.

Wiping away a tear, Mrs Ming said: "This doesn't make what we have been through any easier, but now the Crown Prosecution Service can reopen the file and Dunlop can get what we feel he deserves. When Dunlop was convicted of perjury, I told him I would see him rot in hell."

Kevin, who was only three when his mother was killed, said: "I'm really happy. After all this time it is great that we have got justice for my mum."

Mrs Ming has always known that Julie's case is one of many in the country that could be reopened following a change in the law.

She said: "This is proof that it's all been worthwhile. If anyone wants to campaign for change in society they should never give up. This won't bring Julie back, but it will mean we have the chance to get justice for her and no other family will have to suffer like we have."

Mrs Ming and her family are now hoping that once changes in the law are made, Dunlop could be the first person in the country to be retried under the new rule.

If convicted, he could face a life sentence for the murder of the 22-year-old pizza delivery girl.

Julie's father, Charlie, said: "I had doubted the British justice system, but these changes are more than we could have dreamed of. I can't believe it's finally happened."