header-logo header-logo

21 April 2021 / Dr Jon Robins
Issue: 7929 / Categories: Features , Criminal
printer mail-detail

Rough (in)justice: the Oliver Campbell case

46649
Jon Robins reports on Oliver Campbell’s campaign to clear his name

Oliver Campbell was convicted of murder in 1991 and ended up serving 11 years in prison for a crime he always insisted had nothing to do with him. In July 1990, a shopkeeper was shot and killed in front of his son during a robbery of his off-licence on the Lower Clapton Road in Hackney, East London.

Witnesses agreed that the two men who carried out the robbery were black and around 5ft 10 inches tall. Oliver Campbell was sentenced to life despite being 6ft 3 inches and his co-accused admitting to the robbery, providing a written account identifying the killer and confirming that Campbell had nothing to do with the murder. The jury was never told of this account.

Vulnerability

Over the years, Campbell’s campaign to clear his name has gained momentum. In 2002, Kirsty Wark presented a BBC Rough Justice investigation into the case which highlighted the vulnerability of suspects with severe learning difficulties in police

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

EIP—Stuart Malcolm

EIP—Stuart Malcolm

EIP strengthens Commercial practice with a new partner

Ellisons—Francesca Brown

Ellisons—Francesca Brown

Ellisons welcomes Francesca Brown to Family team

Shakespeare Martineau—Marie Bourke

Shakespeare Martineau—Marie Bourke

Shakespeare Martineau strengthens Sheffield regulatory practice with new hires

NEWS
A wide-ranging Civil Way column highlights developments from insolvency procedure to employment law, but one case stands out for its lessons on bankruptcy, family homes and digital communications
A sprawling Intellectual Property Office battle between House of Fraser and Frasers Property has delivered a masterclass in modern trade mark law
Courts in England and Wales and Singapore are increasingly confronting complex disputes over international child relocation as families become more globally mobile
The government’s long-awaited family law reform consultation could mark a turning point for domestic abuse victims navigating financial remedy proceedings, but significant challenges remain
A new commercial court pilot giving the public access to documents used in hearings, including expert reports, is raising difficult questions about transparency and privacy
back-to-top-scroll