INNOCENT - Fighting miscarriages of justice

Suzanne was convicted in 2005 at Teeside Crown Court of killing a two-year-old child, Kyle Fisher, by banging his head against a banister. A much respected person who was frequently called upon to look after children, Suzanne was convicted only because the death of Kyle was said by 'experts' to have been caused during the time when he was in her care.

Friends, including members of Kyle's own family, believe her conviction to have been a gross miscarriage of justice. At her appeal on 1 May 2008, Henry Blaxland QC (instructed by solicitor Campbell Malone) presented fresh medical evidence. Her conviction was overturned and a retrial ordered.

Suzanne's case is supported by INNOCENT and Yorkshire and Humberside Against Injustice, who continue to support her claim of innocence.

She has now been charged again with the murder of Kyle and faces a retrial.

Grandmother supports Suzanne

Kyle's grandmother Jane Whitfield said she was "happy" Suzanne had been released because she never believed the babysitter was responsible for her grandson's death.

Speaking from the home in Houghton-le-Spring she shared with Kyle's father Jon Taylor, Jane said: "I'm so happy for Suzanne Holdsworth and for her family.

"I was there every day of the trial and I don't think the evidence proved she did it. There are so many questions still to be answered.

"It came out in court that Kyle had been neglected by his mother Clare. I went to see him in the mortuary and I could not see any injuries on his head. It did not look like what they described in court.

"They said he had a dent in his head where it had been battered off the banisters but I could not see it. There was all sorts not mentioned in court which would have been in Suzanne's defence.

"I hope that now everything comes out properly. He was my grandson and I loved him. We need to know and deserve to know what happened."

Partner Lee Spencer campaigns for Suzanne

Ms Holdsworth's partner, Lee Spencer, said he had never doubted her innocence and was delighted at the verdict.

"It's something we've said all along, that it's been a grave miscarriage of justice, pre-trial, the original trial, she was innocent, and she's still the same innocent woman today, as proven in court.

"But let's not forget what this is about - we can be happy and chuffed to bits that the court has listened to new evidence - but a child is still dead," he said.