Keren Simpson, daughter of Roger Allen, says the family are still trying to clear his name after he was involved in the Post Office Horizon scandal as they spend their first Christmas without him (Image: Newsquest / Keren Simpson)
The family of a man who spent time in prison after being caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal say they are going to continue fighting to clear his name after his death earlier this year.
Roger Allen was jailed for six months after being accused by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of fraud of £37,000.
However he believed he was one of more than 900 sub-postmasters accused of stealing money because of incorrect information from the highly controversial Horizon computer system.
Tragically, before he could clear his name, Mr Allen died at home in Rackheath in March this year.
Keren Simpson, one of Mr Allen's daughters, says the family continues to fight to absolve his name as they endure their first festive season without him.
Keren, who lives in Australia, said: "This will be mum's first Christmas without him and she really hasn't been looking forward to the holidays this year.
"We continue to fight and clear his name, but with no resolve for the Post Office's injustice they both had to endure, there is little for her to find comfort in."
Earlier this month was the fifth anniversary of the High Court judgement in the case of Alan Bates and Others versus Post Office.
Justice Peter Fraser ruled that computer errors were at fault for the accounting discrepancies and blamed the Post Office in pursuing the missing money without investigating where the fault lay.
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A meeting was held in the Houses of Parliament on the fifth anniversary to let victims and their families express their ongoing concerns.
Keren added: "The meeting went well, but we need more support in order to get an independent review for DWP prosecutions.
"I'm committed to releasing the shame brought upon my family when my dad was convicted of theft 20 years ago."
MR ALLEN'S HORIZON HELL
Roger Allen bought the St John's Close post office in Lakenham with his wife, Julie, in 1994 before the now controversial Horizon system was introduced - in early 2000.
Mr Allen put the business up for sale in 2000, without success, until the Post Office confirmed it was shutting the branch and offered Mr Allen £70,000 to close, which he accepted.
However, Mr Allen would never see the money after police arrived at the business in November 2002 where he and Julie were arrested.
Keren said: "Dad was accused of a £37,000 fraud but we were told if he pleaded guilty to theft then the fraud charges would be dropped, he would likely get a suspended sentence and most importantly, mum wouldn't be charged for anything."
In 2004 instead of a suspended sentence, Mr Allen was sentenced to six months in prison.
On March 9 this year, Mr Allen died without clearing his name.