THE family of the victim in one of the UK's most high-profile murders is backing The Northern Echo's Criminal Injustice campaign.

Touched by the plight of Teesside mother Ann Ming, whose daughter, Julie Hogg, was murdered in 1989, Maureen Harvey has contacted her to support her long fight for justice, supported by The Northern Echo.

Mrs Harvey's son, Lee, died in 1996 after being stabbed 30 times by girlfriend Tracie Andrews, who cried at a press conference at which she claimed they had been attacked in a road rage incident, on a country road.

She contacted Mrs Ming after Julie's death was highlighted in the TV show Real Crime.

Her killer, Billy Dunlop, was twice tried for murder, but neither jury was able to return a verdict.

Later, while in prison for another offence, Dunlop admitted killing the 22-year-old mother-of-one, knowing that he could not be tried again because of the double jeopardy rule.

He was convicted of perjury for lying in his original trial, but could only be jailed for six years.

After watching the programme, Mrs Harvey telephoned Mrs Ming to offer her moral support.

Mrs Harvey said: "I am appalled by our justice system, which is so behind the times it let an animal like that get away with murder.

"I contacted Mrs Ming to offer my support to her as I know what she is going through. My son was murdered and I know how she is feeling. As a mother, it is very difficult."

Mrs Harvey has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair and Home Secretary David Blunkett urging them to change the law.

She said: "The only thing we can do now is stick together and apply pressure to the powers that be. I want answers as to why our justice system is so far behind.

"It is time for a change. There are murders every day and, if there is no change, people are still going to believe they can get away with it."

The programme was watched by thousands of people, many of whom have contacted The Northern Echo to support the campaign.

Read more about the Criminal Justice campaign here.