The Post Office IT scandal has taken a significant turn as the number of convictions linked to the Capture software system has more than doubled, according to recent revelations by Sky News. Initially, around eight cases were under review before Christmas, but this number has now grown to 21. These cases have been submitted to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) for further investigation. The Capture system, which was used in Post Office branches during the 1990s, has come under scrutiny after a report last year suggested that it, too, may have caused false financial discrepancies, similar to the infamous Horizon system that led to widespread miscarriages of justice between 1999 and 2015.
The implications of this development are profound, as hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongly accused of theft due to software errors in both Horizon and Capture systems. Many of these individuals faced devastating consequences, including imprisonment, financial ruin, and irreversible damage to their reputations. The CCRC, which is responsible for reviewing alleged miscarriages of justice, will now examine these new cases to determine if there is significant new evidence or legal arguments that could lead to overturning the convictions. If the CCRC finds compelling grounds, it can refer the cases back to the Court of Appeal, offering a glimmer of hope for those affected.
Lawyer Neil Hudgell, who represents many of the victims, has emphasized the urgency of resolving these cases, given the advanced age and fragile health of many of the affected individuals. He expressed optimism that the first cases could be referred to the Court of Appeal by the end of the year, but cautioned that the process is still months away. Hudgell also highlighted the emotional toll on the victims and their families, describing them as “hideously damaged people” who deserve peace of mind after decades of suffering. The legal team, along with the CCRC and advisory board, will continue to lobby for a swift resolution to bring closure to those impacted.
One of the cases submitted to the CCRC is that of Pat Owen, a former sub-postmistress whose family has courageously shared her story for the first time. Pat was convicted in 1998 of stealing from her Post Office branch while using the Capture system. She received a two-year suspended sentence, but the conviction left her family shattered and unable to speak openly about the ordeal for 26 years. Pat passed away in 2003, but her family has now come forward, revealing the profound impact her conviction had on her life and theirs. Her daughters describe her as returning from court “a different woman,” and her husband, David, recalls how she lost a significant amount of weight and appeared far older than her 62 years.
Pat’s case has taken a dramatic turn with the discovery of a key piece of evidence that was never presented in court. A document summarizing the findings of an IT expert, who was supposed to testify on Pat’s behalf, revealed that the computer she used had a faulty motherboard. The expert’s report stated that this issue could have caused calculation errors that led to the financial discrepancies flagged by the Post Office’s security team. Tragically, the expert failed to appear in court, and the family has never been able to determine why. David Owen suspects that the expert may have had professional ties to the Post Office, which could have influenced his decision not to testify. Despite their best efforts, the family has never been able to locate the expert.
The government has recently announced plans to establish a redress scheme for victims of the Capture system, similar to the one set up for those affected by the Horizon system. Approximately 100 individuals could be eligible for compensation under this scheme, offering some measure of justice for those who were wrongfully accused and had their lives upended. However, for many, including Pat’s family, the focus remains on clearing their loved ones’ names and securing the justice they deserve. As the CCRC continues its review, the hope is that these cases will finally be resolved, bringing long-overdue relief to those who have endured decades of suffering.
