About Billy Middleton

 Hi, I’m Billy Middleton.

(Picture may not be Billy but one related to a supported case/cause instead.)

At the time I began writing this website, I had recently been acquitted of 1 charge of indecent assault, 1 charge of murder and 2 charges of attempted murder. A case which obviously attracted significant media interest and one which should never have passed the first hurdle. The reasons as to how I can say this will become clearer as the site develops however at the time of writing there are legal processes underway which limit exactly which details I can openly reveal. Since the individuals and departments responsible deserve to be investigated fairly without prejudice (a privilege I was never afforded), there are obviously restrictions on what actions or details I can be specific about however I will endeavour to paint as full a picture as possible in the meantime with a view to highlighting factors which can cause innocent people to be vilified and become victims of the justice system intended to protect us all.

A restricted overview of the events that led to my being charged.

On the 20^th September 2008 a fire broke out in my home while I lay in bed sleeping. After I woke with the fire alarm, I left my bedroom to find the hallway full of dark smoke and could hear my eldest 2 children screaming upstairs. I could see no flames but instantly knew from the considerable amount of smoke that urgent evacuation was the only appropriate action. When I reached the bottom of the stairs I could barely make out my son and daughter standing at the top, huddled together in terror. I shouted to them “You have to get out now!” but only my elder daughter started to come down, my son was stiff with fear and wouldn’t move so I hurried up the stairs until I could reach him. By the time I’d grabbed him and made my way back down my daughter was standing at the outside door, I opened it and she went out beckoning her brother but he wouldn’t slip me, his arms clinging around my neck for all he was worth.

After prising him free and putting him on the path outside I told them both I had to go back for my 9 month old daughter Annalise and went back in closing the door to keep air out. Unfortunately my son was desperate to stay with me and followed me in so I had to put him out again and shouted ‘You have to go, I’ll be back in a minute’, but again he came in. So I put him outside a final time and locked the door so he couldn’t come in again.

Although only a short time had passed, the level of smoke was now significantly worse. I could barely see at all and my eyes were beginning to sting badly. Each breath caught my throat as I tried to climb the stairs to reach Annalise. But the smoke seemed to be funnelling up the stairway and by the time I reached what must have been a point near the top, breathing was impossible and due to the thick smoke and the effect it had on my eyes I could see absolutely nothing. Despite acting on instinct I knew I had to go back for clean air and try again, I knew if I went on I wouldn’t make it. By this time the smoke I had inhaled had obviously begun to affect me mentally as I have no clear recollection of descending the stairs.I do have a vague memory after of picking myself up trying to move forward but bumped into a wall. I couldn’t understand why there was a wall there; I couldn’t keep my eyes open at all as they felt like the extreme welders flash I’d suffered a few months prior. It was as if I was lost, completely disorientated and I began to panic, terror had set in I had no idea where I was, how to get to air or how to get my baby. I was later found back in my bedroom on the bed by firemen but have no memory vague or otherwise how I got there, all I do know is I wasn’t leaving that house without my baby!

Sadly by the time the firemen arrived and recovered Annalise, and despite the very best efforts of the paramedics she could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. Now I live with a feeling of failure for not being able to reach her, the time she needed me most I let her down by not managing and I have lived with that pain every day since and doubt that will ever stop. She was my precious angel, I failed and now no matter how hard each day I wish it, I can’t ever have my baby back.

So why make this site?

Well only having been released from prison a short time after being remanded for 5 ½ months for a crime I didn’t commit, I am acutely aware of the stigma that is attached to being charged in the first place, an accusation which is the biggest disrespect that could be paid to Annalise and one which has marred her memory. She deserved so much better, she deserved to rest in peace and she deserved that the family who loved her, who she loved back so clearly, to be able to grieve rather than suffer the destructive persecution and abuse we have all received instead. Only when I have exposed everything that happened in the 6 months following the fire that should never have been permitted will I feel that I have cleared my name completely and only then will my precious angel be able to properly rest in peace. A fire which I now know in knowledge of all the facts, rather than merely the ones utilised to try and achieve wrongful conviction, was nothing more than a tragic accident. One which due to its consequences had caused so much pain and grief already, none of us deserved the relentless nightmare that followed.

As you can imagine the hurt and anger is ever present and I feel that by making this site I can utilise it in a way that will be beneficial to others which will in turn help me. I simply feel it’s something I need to highlight, something I need to campaign against and improve if I can and perhaps it’s a type of therapy for me. The ongoing legal processes necessary to expose the wrongs will be frustratingly time consuming but it’s necessary they be done in the proper way, this site will give me something worthwhile to do both during that phase and in the future. Anyone unfortunate enough to be in a similar position regardless of what alleged crime will probably understand exactly how I feel and their participation will be very welcome in the sites discussion boards if they too feel they can help make things better for others both now and in the future.

Regards

Billy Middleton