Princes’ gamekeeper wins payout over wrongful jail term

five years later in 2010. The appeal court concluded two written statements, withheld from his defence lawyers, may have delivered the “coup de grace” to the prosecution case.

Now, a further six years on, Mr Stirrat has been told he will receive compensation. However the Scottish Government rules out any “serious default” by police or the prosecution service.

The money – expected to be a six-figure sum – will come too late for Mr Stirrat. His mental health has suffered and attempts to return to his old life thwarted. In 2012, he applied to have his gun licence restored, but Strathclyde Police refused it.

Mr Stirrat’s former employer, Lord Home, son of late prime minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home, has wished him well, saying: “Douglas and Angus Estates and the Douglas-Home family had an excellent relationship with Billy Stirrat and his family while he worked for us, we wish him well in the future and hope that Billy is able to reach a satisfactory outcome.” Prince Charles and Prince Harry at Sandringham in 1995. William Stirrat looked after both Princes William and Harry while they learnt to shoot