17/05/2012

Sam Hallam Walks Free From Appeal Court

Having already served seven years of a life sentence Sam Hallam has been freed by the court of appeal, making him one of the youngest victims of a miscarriage of justice.

24-year-old Hallam walked free yesterday after the court heard he was jailed as a result of a flawed investigation that failed to follow lines of inquiry and in which the Metropolitan police and the Crown Prosecution Service withheld evidence.

Emerging on to the steps of the high court, with his mother, he was sprayed with champagne by the friends and supporters who have long campaigned for his release.

Hallam, of Hoxton, north London, was just 18 when he was jailed for life for the murder of Essayas Kassahun in a gang attack in October 2004.

The court of appeal is expected to quash his murder conviction on Thursday after the crown dramatically withdrew all opposition to his appeal.

Outside the court, his mother, Wendy Cohen, said: "I am just shocked. I knew this would happen, he should never have been in there. My family has gone through hell, it is like we were all being tortured. Sam's father killed himself while he was inside, all of us have suffered."

(H)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

16 May 2012
Sam Hallam Appeals Murder Conviction
Following the discovery of new evidence a young man, convicted of murder in 2005, will take his case to the court of appeal today. 24-year-old Sam Hallam was 17 when he was convicted of killing trainee chef Essayas Kassahun in Hoxton in October 2004. He was sentenced to life with the recommendation he serve 12 years.
31 July 2008
Bouncy Castle Couple Win Appeal
A couple have won an appeal against a previous finding of liability for serious injury to a boy while he was on a bouncy castle they had hired. The victim, Sam Harris, suffered a depressed skull fracture when an older and heavier boy, aged 15, kicked his head whilst they somersaulted in the castle.
20 December 2013
Pair Found Guilty Of Lee Rigby Murder
Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale have been found guilty of murdering soldier Lee Rigby. Fusilier Rigby was killed as he made his way back to Woolwich barracks in south-east London on 22 May. The soldier was struck by a car before being dragged into the road and attacked with knives and a meat cleaver.
29 November 2012
Leveson Calls For Regulatory Body
The Leveson report has recommended a tougher form of independent self-regulation in the UK press. Lord Justice Leveson said the press had "wreaked havoc in the lives of innocent people" and called for a regulatory body that was independent of influence from politicians, the media and the government.
08 October 2010
Delays For Asbestos Victims
More delays are now expected for asbestos victims after appeal judges referred their compensation claims to the Supreme Court. Judges were unable to agree on a High Court ruling that insurers are liable for damages from when the victims were exposed to asbestos.