I want to pay tribute to the courage and determination of those fighting to clear their names, as well as to their families and loved ones.
Miscarriages of justice are stories with heroes as well as villains. All too often, the villains get away with it and the heroes – the campaigners, lawyers, academics and journalists who champion these most difficult of cases – go unsung. Hopefully, this book goes some way to redressing the balance.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has written for or supported the Justice Gap (www.thejusticegap.com) since we launched in 2011. The site has become a forum for discussion about miscarriages of justice and, more generally, the limits of our justice system at a time when press interest in these difficult issues appears to have waned.
A number of regular contributors have been campaigning in this area for well over twenty years in the wake of scandals such as the Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six.
We are still fighting the same fights. Their support for the site has had a huge influence on me and has been a major motivation for writing this book.
Michael Mansfield QC has acted in many of these cases. It means a great deal that he has written the foreword.
A special mention for Will Bordell. Will was a researcher on Guilty Until Proven Innocent. He helped me with the analysis of original documents, including the trial manuscript in the Eddie Gilfoyle case and what remains of the paperwork in the Omar Benguit case. He first wrote about Carla Andrews and Craig Stillwell’s case in an article for the Justice Gap. His contribution was always insightful and valuable. Will reviewed the first draft of the manuscript, suggested countless improvements and (tactfully) picked up many typos.
Thanks also to the Justice Gap team of reporters and editors. It is an ever-changing cast of volunteer reporters which currently includes Will, Caterina Franchi, Miranda Grell, Calum McCrae, Charlotte Hughes, Elle Sheerin and Hannah Wilson.
I am grateful to Rod Hayler and David Osborne of Old Bailey Solicitors. Without their support, this project would never have got off the ground. Thanks to Kim Evans, a friend of the Justice Gap from day one, for introducing us.
Other old friends of the Justice Gap include Brian Thornton, senior journalism lecturer at Winchester University; and Professor Julie Price, head of pro bono at Cardiff Law School and who runs their Innocence Project. Julie and Brian have supported the Justice Gap and, in particular, made our new print magazine, Proof, happen.
Finally, thanks to my parents, Chris and Margaret, for their unstinting support and love.
This book is dedicated to Juliet, Bea and Eve – in memory of lunch in Mallorca.
Jon Robins
May 2018