The initial Post Office Capture conviction has now been officially forwarded to the Court of Appeal, marking a significant milestone in the IT scandal. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) chose to refer the case of sub-postmistress Patricia Owen back in July. Mrs. Owen was found guilty of theft by a jury in 1998, based on evidence from the flawed IT software Capture. Despite receiving a suspended prison sentence, she fought to clear her name until her passing in 2003. The Capture software was utilized in 2,500 branches from 1992 to 1999.
It is noteworthy that this is the first instance where a conviction linked to Capture, the precursor to the Horizon system central to the broader Post Office controversy, has made its way to the Court of Appeal. This development follows the revelation by Sky News that a damning report on Capture, capable of facilitating the reversal of convictions, was unearthed nearly 30 years later. An investigation uncovered that the Post Office was aware of the report’s existence at the time and still pursued prosecutions against sub-postmasters based on Capture evidence. Mrs. Owen’s family submitted an application to the CCRC in January 2024, leading to the referral of her case on the basis that her prosecution constituted an «abuse of process.»
Legal experts have indicated that if Mrs. Owen is posthumously exonerated in the Court of Appeal, it could expedite the resolution of other cases. The CCRC is actively investigating over 30 other «pre-Horizon» convictions. CCRC chair, Dame Vera Baird, mentioned in an interview with Sky News during the summer that this case could serve as a pivotal example for other victims.
Juliet Shardlow, Mrs. Owen’s daughter, has been steadfast in her efforts to clear her mother’s name over the years. She expressed her family’s joy at the news of her mother’s case being referred, acknowledging the long and arduous journey they have endured. While it is bittersweet that her mother cannot witness this development, Juliet Shardlow emphasized that the resolution of her mother’s case in the High Court will set a precedent for all other Capture victims.
The Post Office has reiterated its commitment to rectifying past injustices and pledged full cooperation with the government’s initiatives in this regard, along with actively supporting the Criminal Cases Review Commission. A spokesperson emphasized their ongoing collaboration with the CCRC in supplying requested documents and information pertaining to pre-Horizon convictions, refraining from commenting on individual cases but reaffirming their support for the CCRC’s efforts in addressing pre-Horizon convictions.
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