Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal quashes sub-postmaster’s convictions

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https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/nor ... onvictions

Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal has quashed the convictions of a former sub-postmaster linked to the Post Office Horizon scandal.

Hundreds of subpostmasters were convicted of fraud and false accounting offences based on unreliable evidence from the Post Office’s faulty Horizon accounting system in what has become the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK legal history.

The Court of Appeal yesterday quashed four convictions relating to Lee Williamson’s time as a sub-postmaster.

Five related convictions were quashed by the Post Office (Horizon Systems) Act 2024 when it was passed on 24 May 2024. Mr Williamson awaits a letter from the Department of Justice to notify him that his convictions have been quashed under the Act.

Mr Williamson’s solicitor Michael Madden, of Madden & Finucane Solicitors, said yesterday: “Mr Williamson is now fully exonerated.

“The prosecution abandoned their challenge to this appeal after receiving material we had obtained in the preparation of the appeal, including a report from forensic investigators, Second Sight.

“Once the prosecution conceded the appeal, the Court of Appeal expedited proceedings and allowed the appeal during a brief hearing this morning.

“Had the Post Office not withheld IT information from Mr Williamson at the time of his prosecution, he would never have been convicted. The ongoing public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal is investigating why disclosure was held back from sub-postmasters.

“Criminal prosecutions should be taken against any individuals found by the inquiry to have deliberately withheld disclosure in an attempt to save the reputation of the Post Office at the expense of the lives of its sub-postmasters.”

In a statement, Mr Williamson said: “I feel vindicated for taking legal action. I have always been innocent but can now say that I am officially exonerated.

“Other sub-postmasters who started their journey before me, inspired me to take the first steps towards appealing my convictions. I hope my case has helped others come forward.”