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Martin Foran wins second miscarriage of justice appeal | Martin Foran wins second miscarriage of justice appeal |
(7 months later) | |
A terminally-ill man has won a second miscarriage of justice appeal over robberies he was mistakenly convicted of in the 1970s and 80s. | A terminally-ill man has won a second miscarriage of justice appeal over robberies he was mistakenly convicted of in the 1970s and 80s. |
Martin Foran, 70, from Manchester, successfully challenged the credibility of officers from the disbanded West Midlands Police Serious Crime Squad. | Martin Foran, 70, from Manchester, successfully challenged the credibility of officers from the disbanded West Midlands Police Serious Crime Squad. |
The Court of Appeal overruled his 1978 conviction after a referral by the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC). | The Court of Appeal overruled his 1978 conviction after a referral by the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC). |
His conviction for a Birmingham pub robbery in 1984 was quashed last year. | His conviction for a Birmingham pub robbery in 1984 was quashed last year. |
'Long, hard battle' | 'Long, hard battle' |
Mr Foran, who has inoperable cancer, served six years of a 10-year sentence after he was convicted in 1978 for four counts of robbery. | Mr Foran, who has inoperable cancer, served six years of a 10-year sentence after he was convicted in 1978 for four counts of robbery. |
"It has gone down in history as a double miscarriage of justice," he said. | "It has gone down in history as a double miscarriage of justice," he said. |
"It has been a long, hard battle to get to this point and I have waited many years." | "It has been a long, hard battle to get to this point and I have waited many years." |
He previously told the BBC his dying wish was to go to his grave an innocent man. | He previously told the BBC his dying wish was to go to his grave an innocent man. |
West Midlands Serious Crime Squad | West Midlands Serious Crime Squad |
•The West Midlands Serious Crime Squad was involved in the convictions of the Birmingham Six | |
•The six men served 96 years between them for a crime they didn't commit - the bombings of two Birmingham pubs in 1974 | |
•A total of 33 appellants have had their convictions involving the squad quashed | |
Police 'credibility' | Police 'credibility' |
The CCRC referred his 1978 case to the Court of Appeal saying it "considers that new evidence raises a real possibility that the court will now quash those convictions". | The CCRC referred his 1978 case to the Court of Appeal saying it "considers that new evidence raises a real possibility that the court will now quash those convictions". |
"The commission's referral is based upon evidence relating to the credibility of officers of the West Midlands Police Serious Crime Squad, who were involved in the case against Mr Foran." | "The commission's referral is based upon evidence relating to the credibility of officers of the West Midlands Police Serious Crime Squad, who were involved in the case against Mr Foran." |
It said it was "always good news" when its work is recognised by the Court of Appeal. It said: "We are always satisfied when our work helps to rectify a miscarriage of justice - that is what the commission exists to do." | It said it was "always good news" when its work is recognised by the Court of Appeal. It said: "We are always satisfied when our work helps to rectify a miscarriage of justice - that is what the commission exists to do." |
The West Midlands Serious Crime Squad was disbanded in 1989, but a substantial number of convictions arising from investigations it conducted have been quashed over concerns about the practices of some of its officers, the CCRC added. | The West Midlands Serious Crime Squad was disbanded in 1989, but a substantial number of convictions arising from investigations it conducted have been quashed over concerns about the practices of some of its officers, the CCRC added. |
Tracy Gibbon, from Olliers solicitors, told the BBC: "Martin has won his appeal today. He's pretty gobsmacked by the results." | Tracy Gibbon, from Olliers solicitors, told the BBC: "Martin has won his appeal today. He's pretty gobsmacked by the results." |
In Mr Foran's second case, Lord Justice Leveson said the conviction was unsafe after doubts emerged over the credibility of the principal police witness. | In Mr Foran's second case, Lord Justice Leveson said the conviction was unsafe after doubts emerged over the credibility of the principal police witness. |
Speaking previously, Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe, of West Midlands Police, said: "The officers involved in the case have since retired or left the force and a number of lessons have been learned since the original investigation was undertaken in 1985. | Speaking previously, Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe, of West Midlands Police, said: "The officers involved in the case have since retired or left the force and a number of lessons have been learned since the original investigation was undertaken in 1985. |
"The public should be reassured that West Midlands Police expects the highest standards of professionalism from its officers and staff and as such we have robust management and anti-corruption measures in place." | "The public should be reassured that West Midlands Police expects the highest standards of professionalism from its officers and staff and as such we have robust management and anti-corruption measures in place." |
The BBC has contacted West Midlands Police for a comment. | The BBC has contacted West Midlands Police for a comment. |