Mother campaigns to get son freed

Mother claims her son convicted of murder is innocent

The mother of a Lincolnshire man who was found guilty of murder has started a campaign to free her son from jail.

Matthew Steel, 21, who lived in Scorer Street in Lincoln was sentenced to 15 years in 2000.

It followed the discovery of the body of Phillip Beardmore.

He had been stabbed to death in his flat in Walnut Place in Lincoln.

'Sad situation'

Steel's mother Julie Milligan, from Full Sutton near York, says her son is innocent and the whole family will not rest until his name is cleared.

"There are a lot of unanswered questions, a lot of evidence that was not submitted that should have been and it is a very sad situation to be in.

"The truth is still out there and I'm appealing for people to come forward with that truth," she said.

Julie Milligan hopes she can build an appeal case on her son's behalf.

We've had to put plans into action

Julie Milligan, mother

Despite evidence including DNA found in Phillip Beardmore's flat and confessions to friends, she remains optimistic of overturning the conviction.

"I actually turned up with a bottle of champagne I was so convinced he was coming home with us.

"Nobody expected the verdict it came as a complete shock we were devastated.

"But, then we have had to put plans in action to get the ball rolling and try and do the best we could for him.

Support son

"I think any parent in the same position would do the same."

Ms Milligan is to continue to make the 250-mile journey to the prison where he is serving his sentence in Staffordshire in order to support her son.

Lincolnshire police said they were unable to comment.