Tag

Miscarriage Of Justice

All articles tagged with #miscarriage of justice

world6 months ago

Post Office Horizon scandal linked to over 13 suicides, inquiry reveals

A public inquiry into the UK Post Office Horizon IT scandal found that over 13 people may have committed suicide as a result of wrongful prosecutions caused by faulty software, with many others suffering severe mental health issues and financial hardship. The report criticizes the Post Office's handling of the situation and calls for urgent, fair compensation and restorative justice measures. The scandal is considered one of the worst miscarriages of justice in UK history.

justice-system1 year ago

"Wrongly Jailed Man Rejects Apology from UK Review Body"

Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, dismissed an apology from the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) after it twice turned down his attempts to have his conviction referred to the Court of Appeal. Malkinson, whose conviction was quashed last July after DNA evidence linked another suspect to the crime, felt the apology was "too little too late" and called for new leadership at the CCRC. He had been found guilty of a 2003 rape in Salford, northwest of Manchester, but always maintained his innocence, spending an additional 10 years behind bars before his release in 2020.

businessscandal1 year ago

"Post Office Recruits Former Police to Oversee Horizon Scandal Investigation Team"

The UK's Post Office has hired a team, including ex-police, to investigate its own staff's previous work on the Horizon scandal, which led to the wrongful prosecution of sub-postmasters and postmistresses due to faulty software. The internal investigation comes amid an ongoing public inquiry and government action to clear the names of those wrongly convicted. The Post Office has faced criticism for its past investigation practices and is aiming to right the wrongs of the scandal, with a focus on sharing information with affected individuals.

business2 years ago

"Fujitsu Acknowledges 'Moral Obligation' to Compensate Post Office Victims"

Fujitsu Europe's boss admitted the firm's "moral obligation" to compensate sub-postmasters wrongly prosecuted due to faulty IT software, while victims of the scandal faced difficulties in receiving compensation. The Post Office knew about "bugs and errors" in its Horizon accountancy software, leading to more than 900 wrongful prosecutions. Both Fujitsu and Post Office executives frustrated MPs with a lack of answers, delays, and bureaucracy in compensating victims, with only 93 convictions overturned to date. Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake acknowledged the need to simplify the compensation process and accelerate it, as an ongoing inquiry into the scandal continues.

legaljustice2 years ago

"Reckoning Resumes: The Post Office Scandal Unraveled"

An inquiry into the British Post Office scandal, where over 900 branch managers were wrongly convicted due to a faulty computer system, has resumed. The scandal, involving the Horizon IT system, led to bankruptcies, broken lives, and even suicides. Momentum for compensation and clearing names has grown, with the government planning to set aside £1 billion for victims. A television docudrama and public outrage have fueled support for the former postmasters, leading to a swift response by lawmakers. The inquiry aims to identify those responsible, while police are investigating potential fraud and perjury charges.

legaljustice2 years ago

"Exonerating Post Office Scandal Victims: Uncovering Decades of Injustice"

A hit TV series has reignited public outrage over the Post Office scandal, where faulty software led to false convictions of theft and fraud for hundreds of sub-postmasters. The High Court ruled in 2019 that the Horizon software was at fault, leading to a public inquiry. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new legislation to swiftly exonerate and compensate the victims, while former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells returned her CBE award. The ongoing public inquiry may place blame on the Japanese IT firm Fujitsu, and dozens of victims have shared their stories, calling for mass exonerations and compensation.

justice-reform2 years ago

"Britain's Post Office Scandal: Pursuing Justice for Wrongly Accused Sub-postmasters"

The British government plans to introduce new legislation to overturn the wrongful convictions of hundreds of Post Office managers who were wrongly accused of theft, fraud, and false accounting due to faulty computer software. This move comes after public outrage and a TV dramatization shed light on the miscarriage of justice. The legislation aims to swiftly exonerate and compensate those wrongfully convicted, with over 800 cases yet to be quashed. The unprecedented step of legislating to quash convictions has sparked concerns about political interference in the judicial process, but the government and main opposition argue that the exceptional circumstances of the cases warrant an exceptional response.

human-interest2 years ago

"Unveiling the Post Office Scandal: Stories of Shame, Anguish, and Injustice"

Nine victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal share their stories of despair, loss, and shame with BBC Breakfast, representing just a fraction of the 700-plus sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses who are victims of one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in the UK. The group recounts their harrowing experiences, including wrongful convictions, financial distress, and social isolation, and calls for accountability and compensation from the Post Office.

scandal2 years ago

Unraveling the UK Post Office Scandal

A scandal involving faulty computer software led to the false imprisonment and ruined lives of hundreds of British postal workers, with the recent TV drama reigniting public fury. The Horizon software wrongly indicated theft and false accounting by post office managers, leading to prosecutions and convictions. The government is under pressure to expedite the review of convictions, with calls for legislation to quash all convictions of affected postal workers. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to ensure that the workers receive the redress they deserve, acknowledging the appalling miscarriage of justice.

business2 years ago

"Paula Vennells Returns CBE Amid Post Office IT Scandal"

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells is returning her CBE amid mounting pressure over the Horizon IT scandal, which led to over 700 sub-postmasters being wrongly prosecuted. The faulty Horizon software caused financial ruin and false accusations, with some individuals imprisoned. Vennells expressed remorse for the devastation caused and faced criticism from those affected. The scandal, described as one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in the UK, has prompted calls for legislative action to quash convictions and expedite compensation for victims.

justice-reform2 years ago

"Urgent Action Promised for Post Office Victims of Miscarriage of Justice"

The UK government is working to expedite the appeals of hundreds of sub-postmasters caught up in the Post Office IT scandal, with plans to potentially introduce new legislation to quash the convictions. Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk are discussing options to resolve the outstanding criminal convictions, while also considering holding responsible parties, including technology company Fujitsu, accountable for compensating the victims. The scandal, which led to 736 sub-postmasters being prosecuted based on faulty software, has prompted calls for the Post Office to be stripped of its prosecution powers and for former convictions to be re-examined en masse. Additionally, there are efforts to strip former Post Office boss Paula Vennells of her CBE over the scandal, and retired judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom will chair an independent panel overseeing compensation payments to those whose convictions have been overturned.

politics2 years ago

"Government Ministers Convene to Address Post Office Horizon Scandal"

Ministers are set to discuss measures to clear the names of hundreds of sub-postmasters convicted in the Post Office Horizon scandal, which led to wrongful imprisonments and financial ruin for many. The government is reviewing options to help victims, including potentially stripping the Post Office of its role in the appeal process. Renewed anger and headlines following an ITV drama have prompted the meeting to be brought forward, as concerns grow over the slow pace of overturning convictions and providing compensation. A public inquiry into the scandal is ongoing, and the Metropolitan Police is investigating the Post Office over potential fraud offences arising from the prosecutions.

politics2 years ago

"Rishi Sunak Vows Action on Post Office Scandal Impacting British Indians"

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged action over the Post Office scandal, which has impacted many British Indians due to a faulty IT system named Horizon dating back to the late 1990s. The government has paid out millions in compensation, but many affected individuals are still waiting for justice. A hard-hitting real-life ITV drama series and ongoing police investigations have brought the issue back into focus. Dozens more impacted by the faulty accounting system have sought legal help, adding to the over 700 sub-postmasters impacted by the scandal.

crime2 years ago

"Scientific Evidence Exonerates Mother Jailed for Killing Her 4 Children"

Kathleen Folbigg, who was convicted of killing her four children and spent over two decades in prison, has had her convictions quashed due to scientific evidence suggesting that the children died from rare genetic conditions rather than murder or manslaughter. The decision by the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal has been welcomed by scientists, who emphasize the need for legal system reform to prevent future miscarriages of justice. Folbigg is expected to seek one of the highest compensation payouts in Australian legal history.

crime-and-justice2 years ago

Injustice Reversed: Mother's 20-Year Conviction Overturned in Tragic Child Deaths

Kathleen Folbigg, an Australian mother who spent 20 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of killing her four children, had her convictions formally quashed by the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeals. The court panel agreed that she should be acquitted of all charges, concluding one of the country's most prominent miscarriages of justice. Folbigg was released in June on the recommendation of a retired judge who found "reasonable doubt" as to her guilt. Her lawyers are now seeking "substantial" compensation and calling for legal reform, including the creation of an independent body for review to prevent future miscarriages of justice.