A long campaign by Downing's family and Don Hale, the then editor of the Matlock Mercury led to the conviction being declared unsafe by the Court of Appeal in 2001 and Downing was released.
A prolonged effort by Downing's family and Don Hale, who was the former editor of the Matlock Mercury, led to the court declaring the conviction unsafe in 2001. As a result, Downing was released from custody.