Wrongly Accused: The Annette Hewins Story BBC Radio Wales

Judges at London's Royal Court of Appeal rule in the case of Annette Hewins, there was insufficient evidence to convict her, and she walks free. She is released and returns home only to find life more challenging than ever. This is compounded by a statement by police released to the media telling her not to return to her home town. Nicole hears herself at the age of 7 talking about the difficult time without her Mum, and how she is so happy to have her home.
An Inspire Film and Television Production for BBC Sounds.
Credits:
Narrator: Nicole Jacob
Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick
Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch
Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer
Post Production: Bang
Archive: Miles Orchard
Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick

The jury returns with a 10-2 majority verdict. Annette faces a long time in prison, but still insists that she is innocent. Her mother-in-law, Veronica, gradually gets an appeals campaign underway. Top solicitors, journalists and family members join the cause.
As the campaign progresses there is increasing concern about Annette's worsening mental health in prison. Will she survive in prison long enough to see if her Appeal hearing is granted?
An Inspire Film and Television Production for BBC Sounds.
Credits:
Narrator: Nicole Jacob
Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick
Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch
Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer
Post Production: Bang
Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick

Annette Hewins stands in the dock accused of triple murder. The prosecution claims Annette syphoned petrol from her car to commit arson, tragically taking the lives of a mother and two children. But what do we know about the type of petrol used in the fire, and was it the same as the petrol Annette bought for her car?
At trial, an astonishing battle between two forensic scientists commences in the courtroom, one for the prosecution and one for the defence. They conduct very different tests, so which scientist was correct? A world-leading arson investigator re-examines the tests conducted by the forensic scientists. What will he reveal, and what does this mean for Annette and her co-defendants Donna Clarke and Denise Sullivan?
An Inspire Film and Television Production for BBC Sounds.
Credits:
Narrator: Nicole Jacob
Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick
Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch
Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer
Post Production: Bang
Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick

The trial begins as Annette and her co-defendants, Donna and Denise, face charges of triple murder. Central to the prosecution's argument lies the contradictory testimonies given by a 17-year-old girl, 'Subject A,' initially a suspect but later a witness.
The defence argue Subject A's statements to the police were extracted through undue pressure. The fate of the women hung in the balance. Whose testimony will the jury believe? Annette's daughter, Nicole, investigates seeking the opinion of an expert in ethical interviewing techniques.
Credits:
Narrator: Nicole Jacob
Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick.
Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch
Post Production: Bang
Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer
Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick

Annette Hewins faces charges of triple murder and begins her prison sentence, three months pregnant. Whilst on remand, Annette gives birth to Joshua, in an ambulance, on a roundabout outside the prison.

The discovery of tape recordings by miscarriage of justice victim Johnny Kamara, sheds a poignant light on Annette's time behind bars, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities of pregnancy within the prison system. These recordings become a portal for her children, Nicole and Joshua, granting them a deeper understanding of their mother's struggles during this distressing time her life.

Credits:
Narrator: Nicole Jacob
Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick.
Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch
Post Production: Bang
Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer
Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick

In October 1995 police launch a triple murder investigation in Merthyr Tydfil, following an arson attack that killed a mother and two children. Crime scene investigators find a washing up liquid bottle and a can of Coke both containing petrol. But who committed such an evil crime?
After a television appeal and the fingerprinting of the entire Gurnos community police are confident of new lines of enquiry, but 4 months later no arrests ware made. Pressure is on for results.
Then South Wales Police, make an announcement of multiple arrests. Donna Clarke, Denise Sullivan and Annette Hewins are arrested and charged with triple murder. How did the police investigation lead to the three local women? Nicole Jacob, the daughter of Annette Hewins, examines the investigation to find out how it arrived at her Mum’s front door.
Credits:
Narrator: Nicole Jacob
Producer and Editor: Amy Derrick.
Finishing Editor: Steph Lynch
Post Production: Bang
Additional Sound Design: Kevin Langhamer
Executive Producer: Wayne Derrick