ITV is set to captivate audiences with a profoundly moving and harrowing new true-crime drama, 'The Sixth Commandment', featuring a powerhouse performance by the acclaimed British actress Sheridan Smith.
The four-part series delves into the devastating real-life murder of Julie Hogg, a case that shook the nation and ultimately led to a landmark change in the UK's centuries-old legal system.
A Mother's Unrelenting Quest for Justice
The drama poignantly chronicles the unimaginable grief and relentless determination of Julie's mother, Ann Ming, portrayed by Sheridan Smith. For 15 agonising years, Ann fought an unwavering battle against the judicial establishment after her daughter's killer was acquitted.
Julie Hogg, just 22 years old, was found murdered in her home in Billingham, Teesside, in November 1989. Despite a strong case against local man William Percival, including a confession, a jury found him not guilty. The ancient double jeopardy law, which prevented a person from being tried twice for the same crime, meant he walked free.
The Legal Landmark That Changed History
Ann Ming's tireless campaign, a testament to a mother's love, directly led to the reform of the double jeopardy rule in 2005. This monumental legal shift allowed for a retrial in cases where compelling new evidence emerges.
It was this very change that finally secured justice for Julie. William Percival was successfully retried and convicted of her murder in 2006, sentenced to a minimum of 15 years.
A Story of Two Halves
'The Sixth Commandment' also intertwines a second, equally sinister narrative. The latter half of the series focuses on the cunning and manipulative Benjamin Field, a churchwarden who exploited and murdered pensioner Peter Farquhar in a twisted plot to inherit his estate.
This chilling case, which occurred decades after Julie's death, showcases the enduring importance of the legal precedent Ann Ming helped establish.
Sheridan Smith's portrayal is already garnering significant attention, promising to be a raw and emotionally charged depiction of one of Britain's most influential campaigners for justice. The series is not just a true-crime drama; it is a tribute to the power of perseverance and a mother's love that altered British legal history forever.
