Sally Challen has won an appeal against a conviction for murdering her husband in a hammer attack.

The court quashed Challen's original conviction and ordered a retrial.

In the ruling, Lady Justice Hallett said: "The Court of Appeal heard that, in the opinion of a consultant forensic psychiatrist, the appellant was suffering from two mental disorders at the time of the killing.

"This evidence was not available at the time of the trial and the court quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial."

Challen appeared in court through a video link from HMP Bronzefield in Ashford in Surrey and wept through much of the evidence.


Scores of supporters attended the appeal hearings on Wednesday and Thursday.

Challen was originally convicted at Guilford Crown Court in 2010 and was jailed for life.

She had been married to 61-year-old Richard Challen for 31 years.

Speaking after the ruling, her son David Challen, 31, said: "It's an amazing moment.

"The courts have acknowledged this case needs to be looked at again, as we have always said as a family.

"As sons, we get another shot for our story to be heard, the events that led to our father's death to be heard, and for our mother to have another shot at freedom."