Students help quash robbery conviction

A group of law students have helped to quash a man's conviction for a robbery he did not commit.

The undergraduates investigated Alex Allan's case as part of their studies and took it to the Court of Appeal, where three judges ruled he had been the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

Mr Allan had protested his innocence without success and ended up serving six years of an eight year jail term for robbery, but on his release continued to try to clear his name.

He eventually found support from eight students at the University of Northumbria, who have worked on his case free of charge over the last four years.

I have put the past behind me now and I can start my life again.

Alex Allan, appellant

Mr Allan had previously lost an appeal in 1994, when he was represented by a human rights organisation.

Mr Allan, 40, was jailed in 1991 after a raid on a post office van in which a man was seriously assaulted.

After being granted legal aid to pursue the appeal, the students and Kevin Kerrigan, a solicitor who lectures at the university's law school, applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which referred the case to the Appeal Court.

Mr Allan said he was delighted with the results both for himself and the students.

He told BBC News Online: "I have put the past behind me now and I can start my life again.

"I always knew the evidence was there to clear my name, but it wasn't until I got out and the students and Kevin Kerrigan got on the case that I finally got this result.

"I cannot praise the students enough."

First class honours

The two final year students who successfully represented Mr Allan in court this week, Jennifer Blewitt, 23, and Sue Hirst, 22, have just passed their law degrees with First Class honours.

Sue Hirst told BBC News Online this was a great boost to her future career in the legal profession.

She said: "It was great to be able to follow such a high profile case through to the Court of Appeal and to be successful.

"We have learned a lot from the case. A lot of work went into it, but it was worth it."

Miss Hirst is hoping to pursue a career in crime and family law, and is currently seeking a trainee position with a legal firm.

She said: "This case has been a great stepping stone, and I hope it might stand me in good stead to get a job in the future."

Mr Allan is not planning to sue over his imprisonment, but he will apply to the Home Office for compensation for his years behind bars.