Inmate's hope as appeal approaches

Brown visited his sick mother at home

A man who claims to be the victim of one of the UK's longest running miscarriages of justice is hoping to be freed on bail soon.

Robert Brown, from Glasgow, was jailed in 1977 after being convicted of the murder of Manchester woman Annie Walsh.

But the case is to be re-examined by the Court of Appeal in London and Brown said he is hopeful he may be granted interim bail.

New evidence is said to have emerged in the case and a full hearing, on the recommendation of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, is expected to be heard in the coming months.

Annie Walsh was battered to death

Brown spoke out as he was allowed to visit his elderly and ill mother, in Glasgow, on day release from prison near Preston, Lancashire.

He told BBC Scotland: "I think my conviction was an indictment against the English criminal justice system.

"I think they should give me a shot at justice by allowing me bail to see my mother."

Brown added: "I'm not a danger to the public, never have been, never will be."

Brown, from Drumchapel in Glasgow, was convicted of the murder of Annie Walsh at Manchester Crown Court in October 1977.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

His application for leave to appeal against conviction was refused by the Court of Appeal in 1978.

Brown was handcuffed at all times on his visit

But he had always insisted that the police framed him for the death of the 51-year-old spinster.

Brown previously told BBC Scotland's Frontline that corrupt police officers bullied, beat and broke him, and he signed a false confession.

The new evidence being considered includes scientific evidence linking another man to Miss Walsh's murder and expert analysis of Brown's alleged confession which concludes it was a false statement.

Brown could have been freed on parole 10 years ago if he had admitted the crime.

But he said his need to clear his name is stronger than his desire for freedom.