Court of Appeal overturns two Horizon convictions

Two convictions in Post Office Horizon cases from 2005 and 2008 were overturned by the Court of Appeal on Thursday (27 April).

Post Office said it didn’t oppose both appeals.

“We are deeply sorry for past wrongs and the suffering caused. We have taken determined action to prevent such events ever happening again,” a Post Office spokesperson said.

“As of 27 April 2023, a total of more than £18.5m has been paid in compensation to people whose convictions have been overturned. This includes initial interim payments of up to £163,000 which are made swiftly following a Horizon-related conviction being overturned, in advance of full settlements.”

The number of convictions overturned in Horizon cases is now 86. This includes three cases prosecuted by other bodies, not Post Office.

“No unsafe conviction should be missed. Together with the Criminal Cases Review Commission, we have continued to contact people convicted in Post Office prosecutions that may have involved Horizon evidence. We urge anyone who believes they were wrongly convicted to consider an appeal,” the spokesperson added.

Earlier this month, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred two further Post Office convictions related to alleged cash shortfalls to the Crown Court due to concerns about the discredited Horizon computer system.

The CCRC concluded that the convictions depended on flawed Horizon computer data and there is a real possibility that the Crown Court will overturn the convictions.

In the past 15 months the CCRC has contacted more than 300 people regarding potentially unjust convictions stemming from the faulty Horizon evidence. The CCRC has now referred 66 cases back to the courts.

“We are committed to raising awareness of the options open to convicted sub-postmasters and counter staff,” Helen Pitcher, CCRC chair, said.

“This is the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British history, and we might be able to help many more people challenge a Post Office conviction or clear the name of a loved one who has since died.

“Advice from us might ultimately lead to that case being overturned, and a miscarriage of justice being corrected.”

The latest referrals include Andrew Gilbertson, who pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 19 March 2002 to the theft of £24,870.71. Mr Gilbertson was later given a six-month prison sentence at Manchester Crown Court which was suspended for two years. As Mr Gilbertson had pleaded guilty in the Magistrates’ Court, he was unable to appeal against his conviction.

However, he was prompted to ask for a review of his conviction following the landmark quashing of 39 similar CCRC cases at the Court of Appeal in April 2021.

The second referral is of a former Post Office employee who was based in the East Midlands and has requested anonymity. The case put forward by the CCRC relates to a guilty plea for a historical conviction for theft.

Anybody who thinks that their conviction might be affected can contact the CCRC directly on 0121 233 1473 or find out more here. You can apply to the CCRC to have a Post Office conviction reviewed or ask for information on how to appeal directly to the Courts where a right of appeal still exists.