A former Belfast sub-postmaster's conviction for historic fraud-related offences is to be quashed
A former Belfast sub-postmaster's conviction for historic fraud-related offences is to be quashed, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Between 2000 and 2014, the Post Office prosecuted more than 700 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses because information from the Horizon system made it look like money was missing from post offices.In 2005, Mr McLaughlin was convicted of false accounting offences while in charge of a Post Office at Tennent Street in Belfast.Mr McLaughlin had denied the charges during interviews and commissioned an expert accountant's report in support of his defence.
"The Horizon evidence was an essential component of the prosecution case in the court below, and a clear disclosure obligation went unfulfilled, unbeknownst to prosecutors with carriage of the case."Mr McLaughlin later confirmed plans to seek compensation and expressed his hope that others will also be able to clear their names.