Postal workers’ fraud convictions could now be quashed

DOZENS of postal workers caught up in an IT scandal could have their convictions quashed after being wrongly accused of theft.

On Wednesday more than 550 sub-postmasters won £58 million in a settlement with the government-owned Post Office after claiming that they were wrongly blamed for shortfalls in financial accounts, which were in fact caused by a faulty computer system.

Thirty-four sub-postmasters – who run Post Office franchises – are now waiting on appeals to have their criminal convictions stemming from the Post Office accusations quashed.

Its is hoped the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates alleged miscarriages of justice, will move quickly on their cases following a key High Court judgement expected on Monday as part of the litigation.

Seema Misra was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2010 after being found guilty of stealing £78,000 from the post office she ran in West Byfleet, Surrey. She was sent to prison on her son’s 10th birthday, when she was pregnant.

Mrs Misra said: “I never thought I would go through an experience like this. Because of my conviction, I haven’t been able to find work. It was a huge shock.

“I lost everything. I want the CCRC to resolve this as quickly as possible.”

A spokesman for the claimants added: “Everybody would like to be able to get on with their lives. A lot of people are carrying the burden of a conviction around with them, which has genuine practical issues – finance, access to schools.”

“I am sure all the claimants who have appealed convictions would like it sooner rather than later.”

The average length of a CCRC case review last year was just over one year, although the Post Office appeals will not be starting from scratch.