A man who served 25 years in jail for attempted murder was finally cleared today as three of the country's top judges ruled the convictions were unsafe.
Paul Blackburn at the Appeal Court in London yesterday
Paul Blackburn at the Appeal Court in London yesterday
The Appeal Court in London ruled that statements said to have been made by Paul Blackburn, now 41 but 15 at the time he was sentenced to be detained, were tainted.
The court said the evidence, apart from the admissions made to police by Blackburn who was finally freed on licence two years ago, was circumstantial and of limited weight.
Blackburn was jailed for the alleged attempted murder and attempted buggery of nine-year-old boy. He has always maintained his innocence and said he was bullied into confessing.
The police handling of statements said to have been made by Blackburn was attacked by the judges who said officers had not told the truth over the way interviews were conducted. Once that that emerged their account of the interviews "became undermined", the judges said.
Emerging from the court today a smiling Blackburn said he was elated at the decision but remained angry. "But what do you do? Destroy your own life by being angry? It is so destructive and damaging," he told reporters.
"I am still very unsettled and have great difficulty with relationships and being around people," he added. His lawyer said he would be seeking substantial compensation.