Sir Alan Bates has raised concerns about the conviction of a postmaster following the use of evidence from the discredited Horizon computer system during his trial.
Robin Garbutt, aged 60, was convicted of killing Diana Garbutt, aged 40, in 2010. The trial revealed that he staged an armed robbery at his post office and called emergency services, allegedly to cover up a fraudulent activity.
His legal team argues that the financial motive for the crime has been invalidated by the Horizon scandal. They have compiled a new dossier on the case, with support from Post Office advocates Lee Castleton, Janet Skinner, and Seema Davindra, all affected by the Horizon issue.
Speaking to the Mirror, Sir Alan stated that while he hasn’t reviewed the specifics of the case, he referenced historical biases against postmasters as untrustworthy.
Fellow advocates for Post Office justice have visited Garbutt in prison, firmly believing in his innocence. Jane Metcalfe, a supporter seeking justice for Garbutt, emphasized their belief that none of the evidence against him holds up.
New evidence, detailed in a dossier seen by the Mirror, could potentially lead to a retrial. Critical witnesses challenge the prosecution’s timeline, suggesting that Diana’s death occurred later than initially claimed. Garbutt’s alibi of serving customers during the alleged timeframe of the murder has also been scrutinized by his legal team.
Moreover, forensic evidence regarding the murder weapon and Garbutt’s clothing has been called into question. Brian Hird, a customer at the post office on the morning of the murder, provided testimony that challenges the prosecution’s narrative.
The Criminal Case Review Commission is reviewing an application related to Garbutt’s case. While the review is ongoing, North Yorkshire Police have refrained from commenting on Garbutt’s appeal against his conviction.