Oliver Campbell, a man with brain damage who was jailed for life in 1991 for the murder of a shopkeeper, has been declared innocent and had his conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal.
According to a Daily Mail report, the decision was made after new evidence came to light, indicating that Campbell, 53, who has severe learning disabilities, did not commit the crime.
Campbell was convicted for the 1990 fatal shooting of Baldev Hoondle during a robbery in Hackney, East London. Following years of campaigning and the case being referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), his conviction was quashed, with judges declaring it “unsafe.”
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Speaking after the ruling, Campbell said, “The fight for justice is finally over after nearly 34 years. I can start my life an innocent man.”
Some of Campbell’s supporters celebrated the news, expressing their relief in seeing him finally free: “We are all in tears. This is the best news. Ollie’s life starts now.” They thanked Campbell’s legal team and his foster mother, Jean.
The decision came after new evidence emerged showing that Campbell, who suffered brain damage as a baby, was coerced by police into a false confession. His vulnerabilities were not fully understood at the time of his trial, and there always seemed to be loose ends surrounding the case in the eye of many after he was sentenced.
Key evidence that contributed to the overturning of the conviction included a British Knights baseball cap found near the crime scene. Although Campbell had bought the cap prior to the murder, forensic testing revealed that hairs inside it did not match his. Campbell later reported that the cap had been stolen.
Additionally, witnesses described the suspects as being around 5 feet 10 inches tall, while Campbell stands at 6 feet 3 inches. Hoondle’s son, who had reportedly come face-to-face with the gunman, was unable to identify Campbell in an identity parade.
Lord Justice Holroyde, along with two other judges, ruled that fresh evidence suggested Campbell’s confession was unreliable, stating, “We cannot say that the fresh evidence could not reasonably have affected the decision of the jury to convict.”
Campbell, who was released on license in 2002, has maintained his innocence throughout his legal battles. His legal team, led by Michael Birnbaum KC, argued that Campbell’s mental disabilities made him highly suggestible and prone to false confessions during police interrogations. Campbell was interviewed 14 times by police, often without a lawyer or appropriate adult present, and this forced his hand and left him in prison prior to his release.
This ruling marks a significant victory for Campbell, who has long fought to clear his name, and return home to his family to pick his life back and make meaning of it. He said, “Whatever happened in the past, they can’t bring it back. The person who did the crime is still out there, and the shopkeeper’s friends and family have not had justice.”
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which opposed the appeal, acknowledged the court’s decision, saying, “We respect the judgment of the Court.”
The Metropolitan Police also responded to the ruling, stating, “We are aware of today’s decision by the Court of Appeal in relation to Mr. Campbell’s conviction. We await the full judgment and will review these findings.”
The CCRC, which initially declined to refer Campbell’s case in 2005, explained that advancements in psychological understanding and changes in the law regarding vulnerable suspects played a role in its decision to revisit the case back in 2022.
The Court of Appeal judgment reflects the increasing awareness of how learning disabilities and psychological vulnerabilities can lead to false confessions, ultimately determining that Campbell’s conviction was unsafe based on this fresh evidence that has come to light.
For Campbell, he is a happy man freed from the shackles, and will be aiming to make the best of his time as he looks towards leaving his past behind and embracing a new life that has now been afforded him.
