Wrongly-convicted postmaster tells how Horizon inquiry scandal ‘killed his mother with shame’

Wrongly-convicted postmaster recounts how Horizon inquiry scandal ‘killed his mother with shame’

In a compelling testimony to a public inquiry, a postmaster who was wrongly convicted shared his harrowing experience of fighting for justice after being caught up in the Horizon scandal that shattered his life and caused immeasurable shame to his family. Rab Thomson, the postmaster in question, was wrongly accused of embezzlement, a conviction that was overturned earlier this year following a gruelling 20-year battle for his innocence. In a poignant witness statement submitted to the inquiry, Rab described how the scandal not only impacted his own life but also led to the profound shame and eventual death of his mother.

Rab Thomson, a father from Alva, Clackmannanshire, revealed the devastating toll the false accusations took on his mental health, pushing him to the brink of suicide after being falsely labelled a thief in his community. He expressed his desire for justice and for the truth of his ordeal, and that of others like him, to be exposed on a national scale. The faulty IT system at the heart of the Horizon scandal, created by Fujitsu, erroneously flagged missing cash, leading to the prosecution of over 700 post office branch managers across the UK, including Rab.

Taking over his post office in Cambus from his mother Margaret in 1999, Rab found himself ensnared in a legal battle after an audit in 2004 alleged a shortfall of £5,700 in his accounts. Despite his fears of imprisonment, Rab pleaded guilty on the advice of his lawyer on the final day of his trial, ultimately receiving a sentence of community service. This ordeal had profound ramifications, causing Rab’s mother to withdraw from society for years until he tragically discovered her lifeless body in her home.

In his deeply personal statement to the inquiry, Rab expressed his remorse for the shame he brought upon his mother and the lasting impact on his family. He highlighted the psychological and social scars left by being falsely accused and the subsequent loss of reputation within his community. Despite the overturning of his conviction earlier this year, Rab emphasised the importance of holding those responsible for the miscarriage of justice to account and ensuring that victims receive the compensation and closure they deserve.

Rab’s case is just one of many that have come to light in the wake of the Horizon scandal, with six similar cases in Scotland flagged as potential miscarriages of justice in 2022. While Rab’s name has been cleared, his fight for justice and compensation continues, with the UK Government offering a settlement that Rab deems insufficient given the gravity of the injustices endured by those wrongly accused. Amid ongoing delays in the compensation process, Rab remains resolute in his quest for accountability and restitution.

The Post Office, at the centre of the scandal, has issued an unreserved apology for the suffering caused by its past actions and has committed to working with the government to expedite compensation efforts and rectify the wrongs inflicted on innocent individuals like Rab Thomson. As the public inquiry into the Horizon scandal unfolds, Rab’s courageous testimony stands as a poignant reminder of the human cost of systemic failures and the imperative of seeking justice and redress for those wronged.

In summary, Rab Thomson’s account of the Horizon inquiry scandal underscores the profound impact of wrongful convictions on individuals and their families, shedding light on the urgent need for accountability, compensation, and systemic reform to prevent future miscarriages of justice. His resilience in the face of adversity serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity to seek truth and justice in the aftermath of profound injustice.