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scotkaz · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 527

Seems to me that there are similarities in this case.

By IRINA NELSON

Published: 10 Feb 2009
A CONVICTED robber was freed from jail yesterday — after getting the go-ahead to start a legal fight to clear his name.

Billy Mills, 42, rushed into the arms of wife Toni, 36, outside Shotts prison, Lanarkshire — where he was facing nine years for an £8,000 bank heist.

The dad-of-two — who hopes DNA evidence can snare another man — said: “I was serving time for something I didn’t do.

Terrible

“It was terrible being in prison and really hard being away from my wife and all of my family. But I never gave up hope. I always knew that something like this would happen and now it finally has.”

Mills, of Partick, Glasgow, was freed following a special bail hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh. He was caged last August after he was found guilty of robbing a local Royal Bank of Scotland branch of £8,216.64 and threatening staff and customers with a handgun.

He was identified in court by witnesses and CCTV footage of the raid in May 2007 but claimed another man was responsible.

His lawyer Liam O’Donnell is believed to have discovered a doorstop in the bank which had not been analysed. It is understood DNA matching the other man was found on it.

At Mills’ trial, it was claimed he walked into the branch wearing a cap, with a scarf over his face. One witness said he could only see the robber’s forehead and eyes, but identified him as Mills.

Lawyer Mr O’Donnell said: “This appeal is in its early stages, but we do appear to have uncovered important forensic evidence which casts doubt upon this conviction. Mr Mills has always maintained his innocence.”

A court date has not yet been set for the new evidence to be heard.

irinanelson@the-sun.co.uk

Big Wullie · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 1149 Location: Glasgow

Hi Scotkaz

This case surely must call into question the whole Issue of people being convicted solely on Identification Evidence.

Not only was he Identified by Bank Staff he was also Identified by CCTV experts who must have given evidence to the effect they were experts in their field and that every test must have been carried out to ascertain it was Mr Mills.

Time our Government did another Devlin investigation.

I wish him well.

Lydia · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 82

Willie what is a Devlin investigation?

This mans life has been turned upside down as has the life of his family and the evidence seemed to be identification of a man with a cap on and a scarf how awful.

I cannot believe they could convict on the evidence of seeing only a persons eyes.

Heaven help me I have a squint in one eye.
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We are the parents in Scotland denied justice for our children who had illegal post mortem's or had organs removed illegally at post mortem.

Angeline · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 148

Luke Mitchell was "identfied" by two women driving past a youth who was leaning against a fence at the side of the road. One knew it was him because of his eyes - she said she'd never forget them. She also said his head was down and he was looking at the gound!

The other saw him "for a spilt second" side-on, in her rear view mirror.
These were the only two "identifications" offered to the jury (both women dock id'd him). The other "witness" who'd claimed to recognise him from the dodgy photos produced by the police failed to identify him in court.

Between them, they identified a youth with his jacket fastened right up to the collar, and the logo on the T-shirt under his jacket!

Isn't it quite terrifying the lengths the CJS is allowed to go to to get their chosen suspect?
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As long as one heart still holds on, then hope will never really be gone

Big Wullie · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 1149 Location: Glasgow

Hi Lydia

Hope you find this useful:

http://www.wikicrimeline.co.uk/in...on_of_suspects#Devlin_Report_1976

Note I am the third Beck wrongly convicted on Shoddy Identification evidence.

The first, Adolf Beck was instrumental in the setting up of appeal courts.

Lydia · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 82

Willie thank you but I can't seem to open it.

_________________
We are the parents in Scotland denied justice for our children who had illegal post mortem's or had organs removed illegally at post mortem.