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Bridgewater two fight cash ruling | Bridgewater two fight cash ruling |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two men who spent 18 years in jail for the murder of Carl Bridgewater, before being cleared, are fighting to be allowed to keep all their compensation. | Two men who spent 18 years in jail for the murder of Carl Bridgewater, before being cleared, are fighting to be allowed to keep all their compensation. |
Vincent Hickey, 49, and Michael Hickey, 42, of Birmingham, were jailed in 1979 over the boy's murder at Yew Tree Farm. | Vincent Hickey, 49, and Michael Hickey, 42, of Birmingham, were jailed in 1979 over the boy's murder at Yew Tree Farm. |
A court ruled in 2004 that the cousins should pay back what they had saved in "board and lodgings" while in jail. | A court ruled in 2004 that the cousins should pay back what they had saved in "board and lodgings" while in jail. |
In an appeal, their barrister told Law Lords it was against common sense to deduct "living expenses". | In an appeal, their barrister told Law Lords it was against common sense to deduct "living expenses". |
'Generous compensation' | 'Generous compensation' |
The appeal is being held before five Law Lords at the House of Lords. | The appeal is being held before five Law Lords at the House of Lords. |
Ian Burnett QC, representing the Independent Assessor is to argue the deductions were "just and reasonable". | |
On Monday, Barrister Philip Engelman told them: "It is revolting to the ordinary man's sense of justice to have a wrongfully convicted person effectively being asked to pay for his board and lodgings during the time he was incarcerated." | |
The barrister is also representing Michael O'Brien, who spent 10 years in prison after being wrongly convicted in 1998 of the murder of a Cardiff newsagent. | The barrister is also representing Michael O'Brien, who spent 10 years in prison after being wrongly convicted in 1998 of the murder of a Cardiff newsagent. |
The Hickey's had their convictions quashed at the Court of Appeal in 1997. | The Hickey's had their convictions quashed at the Court of Appeal in 1997. |
Michael Hickey was awarded £990,000 in compensation and Vincent Hickey £506,220, subject to the deductions. | Michael Hickey was awarded £990,000 in compensation and Vincent Hickey £506,220, subject to the deductions. |
Mr O'Brien was awarded £670,000 subject to similar deductions. | Mr O'Brien was awarded £670,000 subject to similar deductions. |
"We say there should be generous compensation as a matter of domestic law and international law and it is an antithesis of such generosity to deduct from the men the costs of their accommodation," Mr Engelman said. | "We say there should be generous compensation as a matter of domestic law and international law and it is an antithesis of such generosity to deduct from the men the costs of their accommodation," Mr Engelman said. |
Paperboy Carl, 13, from Stourbridge, was shot dead in September 1978 at Yew Tree Farm, Wordsley. | Paperboy Carl, 13, from Stourbridge, was shot dead in September 1978 at Yew Tree Farm, Wordsley. |
The case has been adjourned. |