The High Cost of Proving My Innocence
Every year thousands of people are acquitted by a jury for crimes they didn't commit. This is a story about one family left emotionally and financially devastated.
Each year, thousands of people in England and Wales are accused of crimes for which they are later acquitted. While their names may be cleared, they are often left emotionally and financially devastated - as Brian Buckle, who was jailed after being wrongfully convicted of sexually abusing a child, discovered first-hand. Another trial would later acquit Brian after fresh analysis found DNA evidence used against him at his original hearing was flawed. He spent five and a half years in prison before overturning his convictions at a cost to him and his family of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Brian was not eligible for Legal Aid - financial help from the government towards the cost of employing a legal team - because his household's disposable income was above Β£37,500 per year. And so, like many defendants who are ultimately acquitted, he was left out of pocket - what is known by some campaigners as the "innocence tax". Brian's story - shared in our 5 Minutes On podcast - is part of a wider investigation by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Nick Garnett and Claire Kendall.
To watch their full documentary, search for "The Issue" on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.
Image Credit: Stephen Fildes
