about Jane
Jane Andrews, named by the media as ‘Fergie’s dresser’ on account of her previous employment with the Duchess of York, was convicted of the murder of her boyfriend, Thomas Cressman, in May 2001. Justice for Women supported her appeal against conviction as there was fresh psychiatric evidence to show that memories of her early child abuse were triggered by the sexual abuse she sustained at the hands of Cressman, causing significant psychiatric disturbance. Unfortunately, at a hearing in September 2003, the Court of Appeal declined to admit the fresh evidence (including reports by two reputable psychiatrists) and her appeal was therefore dismissed.
As Jane was convicted prior to the provisions introduced in 2003 for tariffs to be fixed in open court, representations were made to reduce her tariff of 12 years recommended by the Lord Chief Justice following her conviction. At an initial hearing a High Court judge formally set Jane’s tariff at 12 years, apparently ignoring all the new evidence and representations made showing the compelling mitigating circumstances surrounding the offence. Justice for Women supported an appeal against this tariff, which was heard in October 2006.
As a result of this appeal, Jane’s tariff was reduced to 11 years when the court recognised that the tariff-setting judge had not applied the law correctly in arriving at the final tariff. It was disappointing however, that the court did not look at the new and compelling psychiatric evidence which had been produced for her appeal against conviction which should have provided further evidence of significantly mitigating factors in her offence.
Jane was released on licence on 19th June 2015.
For media coverage of Jane's case, please visit our press coverage page.