The Accused: Beyond Reasonable Doubt tonight tells the heartbreaking story of Stacey Hyde, a teenager who was jailed for murder after trying to protect her friend from a violent attack.
The Channel 4 documentary revisits the case that saw Stacey locked up at just 18 years old, despite insisting she acted in self defence.
Viewers will hear the chilling 999 call made on the night of the incident, including Stacey’s desperate screams as violence erupted inside a Somerset home.
Julie Hyde’s niece Stacey is featured in The Accused: Beyond Reasonable Doubt (Credit: Channel 4)
Although Stacey’s conviction was eventually overturned, the impact of her ordeal never left her.
In one of the programme’s most devastating twists, viewers will learn that Stacey later died aged just 32.
Here’s the tragic true story behind tonight’s episode.
The Accused: Beyond Reasonable Doubt’s Stacey Hyde
Stacey’s case features in the second episode of the new series.
The documentary explores how the teenager, from Wells in Somerset, became caught up in a chain of events that would change her life forever.
Stacey had become friends with local hairdresser Holly Banwell and regularly spent time socialising with her. Holly’s boyfriend, Vincent Francis, had a history of violence towards her.
In 2009, after returning to Holly’s home following a night out, Vincent allegedly launched another attack.
Stacey, who was 17 at the time, stepped in to defend her friend. Vincent then turned his attention towards Stacey, punching her and pulling her hair.
As the violence escalated, Holly made a frantic 999 call.
“My boyfriend is smashing, beating up my friend!” she told the operator.
Moments later, she can be heard shouting: “No, Stacey put that down!”
Stacey stabbed Vincent 17 times during the confrontation.
She was later charged with murder. Despite arguing she had acted in self defence, a jury convicted her and she was jailed for life with a minimum term of nine years.
For the vulnerable teenager, prison would become a terrifying reality.
When was Stacey Hyde freed from jail?
Stacey’s aunt, Julie Hyde, refused to give up on her niece and spent years fighting to clear her name.
She sought help from campaign group Justice For Women, whose legal team worked to challenge the conviction.
Human rights lawyer Harriet Wistrich commissioned a psychiatric assessment which found Stacey’s responsibility had been diminished due to previously undiagnosed ADHD.
The evidence led to a retrial.
Stacey stabbed her friend’s violent boyfriend Vincent Francis (Credit: BBC)
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