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A man with learning disabilities who was jailed for life in 1991 for the murder of a shopkeeper in London, has had his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal.
Oliver Campbell had been locked behind bars for 11 years after being convicted of murder and robbery following a fatal shooting at an off-licence in Hackney which killed Baldev Hoondle in July 1990.
At the time, he was 21 years old when convicted by an Old Bailey jury, despite evidence that another man had been named as the gunman.
Three judges have now ruled on Wednesday that his conviction was “unsafe”, with Lord Justice Holroyde telling the court: “We accept that, considered in the light of the fresh evidence, the rulings might be different.”
His case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) which investigates potential miscarriages of justice, in 2022, with barristers telling the court in February that “compelling” new evidence proved Mr Campbell “cannot be” the killer.
Jurors had not told that Mr Campbell had suffered severe brain damage as a child, and that he had been interviewed by police without a lawyer.
Following his conviction for murder being quashed, Mr Campbell said: “The fight for justice is finally over after nearly 34 years. I can start my life an innocent man.”
His supporters said: “We are all in tears. This is the best news. Ollie’s life starts now.
“He thanks his legal team, Michael, Rose and Glyn, and his supporters, and his foster mum Jean, and especially Teresa.”
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