A MASSIVE compensation claim is set to be launched after the final incredible twist in wrongly-convicted Sean Hodgson’s extraordinary tale was revealed.

Yesterday, he said he felt “ecstatic” as he was finally freed after serving 27 years behind bars for a horrifying murder he didn’t commit.

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But it emerged his conviction for killing Southampton gas board clerk Teresa De Simone could have been quashed more than a decade sooner, but for a catastrophic blunder in the legal system.

In 1998, Mr Hodgson’s then solicitors approached the Forensic Science Service asking for evidence from the 1979 case, so it could be re-examined using DNA techniques that, even then, had been available for 12 years.

Crucially, they were told no such evidence had been kept, and with Mr Hodgson languishing in the psychiatric wing of Albany Prison on the Isle of Wight, any hopes of an appeal quietly disappeared.

The FSS has already conducted an internal investigation into the disastrous mistake, but concluded it cannot explain the error because no record of the solicitors’ request can be found.

Yesterday, Hampshire police demanded the case be referred to the forensic regulator, so the same blunder never happens again.

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Mr Hodgson’s current solicitor, Julian Young, backed those calls, and said his client will look for compensation from the service.

On his request, the evidence that had existed all along was re-tested, and DNA profiling conclusively proved Mr Hodgson was not Miss De Simone’s killer.

“I suspect there will be an inquiry as to how this happened and this error was made, as a result of which a man stayed in custody for ten years longer than he had to,” he said.

“I believe compensation is capped at half a million pounds, but I believe that relates to the Home Office compensation scheme.

“The question may well be whether the Forensic Science Service may have some liability in light of their error.”

An FSS spokesman said evidence from every case in the past 40 years was now stored at a centralised base – a decision made in 1998.

But he could not confirm if that decision was linked to the apparent loss of the evidence that may have cleared Mr Hodgson’s name.

Previously, different categories of evidence were stored at various sites across the UK.

“It is not clear which of these facilities was checked for existing materials before the most recent enquiry by Hampshire police,” he said.

“What we can say is that when that recent enquiry was made we found materials that helped the police progress their enquiry.”

Yesterday’s hearing marked the end of one of Britain’s longest-ever injustices.

Mr Hodgson appeared on the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice, blinking in the bright sunshine as he received a kiss from his brother Peter and waved to the assembled media from across the world.

“He’s very pleased to be free, and this nightmare is over,” said Mr Young.

“He is being looked after by the miscarriages of justice unit, and therefore hopefully he will be able to reintegrate himself back into society.

“He’s looking forward to going to a football match.

Don't miss today's Daily Echo for comprehensive coverage, including the interview with the Echo reporter who knew Teresa De Simone.