THE man who spent 27 years behind bars after being wrongly convicted of killing Teresa De Simone could now sue Hampshire Police for failing to properly investigate David Lace's confessions.

Sean Hodgson's solicitor, Julian Young was this morning told of the confirmation detectives believe they have identified Lace as the real killer.

But he says the fact police did not inform his client's then legal team of Lace's confession in 1983, or his subsequent suicide in 1988, could mean Mr Hodgson is able to sue for compensation.

Mr Young is already working on claims against the Home Office for his client's wrongful imprisonment, as well as possible action against the Forensic Science Service.

In 1998, the FSS told Mr Hodgson's then defence team there was no DNA evidence when they attempted to launch a review of his case - meaning he could have been freed ten years before he actually was.

"The prosecution are under a continuing duty to review a case from the moment someone is charged, effectively to the end of time," said Mr Young.

"If something comes to light that shows the conviction may be wrong, they have a mandatory duty to tell the defence.

"This opens fresh lines of legal inquiry with a view to claims being made, which will have to be examined with care in the immediate future."