Man's 50-year-old conviction reviewed

Mr Quinn spent five years in Dartmoor prison

A man convicted of dishonesty 50 years ago, on the evidence of a sex offender, is to have his case reviewed.

John Quinn, now 75, spent almost five years in Dartmoor Prison for theft and receiving stolen property after a three-day trial in 1957.

Mr Quinn, from Botcherby, Cumbria, was convicted on the evidence of now disgraced Carlisle newspaper seller Billy Dixon.

Now Mr Quinn, who has been trying to clear his name for 25 years, is to have his case heard before the Court of Appeal.

Get justice

Dixon, who is serving two years in prison for sex offences, was the chief prosecution witness against Mr Quinn at the Cumberland Court of Sessions.

Following the conviction, Mr Quinn has been granted a chance to take his case to the Appeal Court.

His case is listed before two High Court judges on 25 February, in an attempt to have the case reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

Mr Quinn said: "I might be able to get justice at last.

Worthless word

"I'm not asking to be let off. I want a retrial and the chance to clear my name.

"I was convicted on the evidence of a man whose word was clearly worthless."

The CCRC spent two years investigating Mr Quinn's case, but refused send it to the Appeal Court.

Dixon, 81, of Carlisle, a newspaper seller for more than 50 years, was jailed in September 2002, after admitting sex offences dating back almost 20 years.