A new series on Channel 4 has been shining a light on families fighting to clear the names of their loved ones. This Thursday (25 June), The Accused: Beyond Reasonable Doubt revisits a tragic case and the lengthy legal battle that ultimately to Stacey Hyde's murder conviction being overturned.
Stacey was just 17 years old when she woke after a night out to hear her friend Holly Banwell screaming for help while being assaulted by her then-boyfriend, Vince Francis, 34. The pair had been in a relationship, and it was acknowledged during subsequent legal proceedings that there had been a history of violence. Francis had also reportedly been physically abusive towards a previous partner.
On the night of 4 September 2009, Stacey intervened after hearing Holly's pleas for help and attempted to pull Francis away from her friend. A violent struggle ensued, during which Stacey fatally stabbed Francis. The incident was captured in part through a 999 call made by Holly.
"My boyfriend is smashing, beating up my friend. She’s a girl and I need the police," Holly could be heard telling the operator. "He hit me, so she hit him and now he has started on her and now they are hitting each other. I need the police."
Related: Best streaming services
When officers arrived at the scene, Stacey was reportedly distressed and maintained that she had acted to defend both herself and Holly. Despite this, she was convicted of murder at Bristol Crown Court in March 2010 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
What to Read Next
Following the conviction, Stacey's aunt Julie contacted the charity Justice for Women in the hopes of having the conviction reduced to manslaughter. A new legal team later appealed on the basis of fresh evidence relating to diminished responsibility.
It was argued that Stacey had been a vulnerable adolescent at the time of the incident, with ADHD, significant mental health difficulties and a traumatic childhood. Her legal team maintained that these factors had not been properly considered during Stacey's original trial.
Years later, the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial. In May 2015 a jury at Winchester Crown Court acquitted Stacey of murder, overturning the previous verdic after Stacey had already spent five years behind bars, serving a life sentence with a minimum tariff of nine years.
Following her release, Stacey - who was also known as Anastasia Darlison - moved to the Cornish village of Mullion in an attempt to rebuild her life. However, her years after prison were marked by domestic abuse, addiction and ongoing mental health struggles. Tragically, Stacey died in 2024 at the age of 32.
Related: Best LEGO sets
An inquest heard that a risk assessment carried out weeks before her death recorded a history of drug and alcohol misuse, sexual and financial exploitation, complex mental health needs, anorexia and bulimia.
Stacey had been admitted to hospital numerous times with persistent vomiting and had suffered two heart attacks prior to her death. On the day she died, she was taken to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, where she became unresponsive and died shortly afterwards.
After hearing the evidence, a coroner concluded that Stacey had died from complications associated with bulimia. Giving evidence at the inquest, Stacey's aunt Julie said: "She didn't want to die, but she just didn't know how to live."
Julie added: "Stacey had spent five years in various prisons. Stacey did not cope well on her release and turned to a life of drugs, alcohol and prostitution, self-harm and bulimia.
“Her life was a train wreck. Stacey was the sweetest, kindest, generous and funniest person I had the pleasure to know. We miss her terribly."
The Accused: Beyond Reasonable Doubt continues this Thursday from 10pm on Channel 4.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online.
