Stephen Downing In September 1974, 17 year old Stephen Downing discovered the naked body of Wendy Sewell in Bakewell Cemetery. She had been badly beaten but was still alive. Stephen was taken in for questioning but when Wendy died Stephen was charged with murder. Journalist, Don Hale campaigned for Stephen’s release and Downing was released on appeal in 2001 after 27 years in prison, making his case the longest miscarriage of justice in Britain.