A law firm is advocating for 100 former subpostmasters who faced severe repercussions after being wrongly accused of financial shortfalls related to the outdated computer system at their branches. These individuals were held accountable for losses, forced to repay funds, and in some cases, prosecuted.
Lawyer Neil Hudgell, from Hudgell Solicitors, noted that progress is being made toward fair compensation during a recent meeting with the Department of Business and Trade. He expressed optimism, saying there’s a clear intent to address the wrongs done by the Post Office concerning the earlier computer system known as Capture. Additionally, there’s momentum in having past convictions reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
The issue gained national attention after the ITV drama “Mr Bates vs the Post Office” aired in January last year, shedding light on the plight of subpostmasters impacted by the later introduced Horizon system. As lawmakers responded, the previous Conservative government in May 2024 passed legislation to clear about 900 former Horizon users who faced convictions based on faulty system evidence.
The CCRC is currently reviewing 21 cases linked to the Capture system, an increase from just five last November. Capture was an independent PC-based system that managed branch accounts before Horizon took over with its complex network.
One of the affected subpostmasters is Steve Marston, who ran a branch in Bury, Lancashire. He faced prosecution in 1996 after an unexplained shortfall of nearly £80,000 arose following the transition to Capture. Marston, who had successfully used a paper-based system for years, was advised to plead guilty to avoid jail time and ended up with a suspended sentence, losing his home and business in the process.
Another case involves Steve Lewis from South Wales, who worked for the Post Office since 1983. When he encountered unexplained losses, he was told he was an isolated incident. His business failed, he sold his home, and he struggled with his mental health as a result.
More subpostmasters are coming forward. Patricia Owen, for example, was convicted of theft in 1998 over a £6,000 shortfall. Despite her denials, she received a suspended prison sentence. Her daughter Juliet recalls their hopes being dashed when their expert witness failed to appear in court.
Peter Lloyd-Holt, who was sacked in 1994 after unexplained shortfalls at his branch, also faced significant consequences. His wife Agnes described the toll it took on their lives. Though assured he wouldn’t be prosecuted, he was still held responsible for the shortfalls and required to repay a large sum. Their family endured financial hardship due to the stress and subsequent challenges.
Paul, Peter’s son, lamented the impact the situation had on their family, with vital evidence lost over time, making it difficult to clear his father’s name.
The Post Office Horizon scandal first came to light in 2009, as reported by Computer Weekly, revealing the struggles faced by subpostmasters due to flawed accounting software.