Postman spent 17 years in prison after wrongful conviction for attempted rape

Nepene · 2014-01-01T20:43:51+00:00

Since I know people here aren't fond of daily mail.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/16/wrongly-jailed-victor-nealon-free-streets-postman

Victor Nealon, the former postman who was wrongly imprisoned for nearly 17 years, spent his first night of freedom on the streets after being discharged from Wakefield prison on Friday with £46 and nowhere to stay.

Nealon was given a discretionary life sentence in January 1997 for the attempted rape of a woman leaving a nightclub. But when DNA evidence was finally examined on the urging of appeal lawyers, it pointed to another unknown man as the perpetrator.

Nealon, 53, originally from Dublin and living in Redditch in the West Midlands when he was jailed, told the Guardian he hoped the police would reopen inquiries into the sexual assault for which he was wrongly convicted.

He said: "I've been destitute and emotionally topsy turvy. Coming out of prison after 17 years isn't an easy experience."

His conviction was quashed by three judges in a short hearing on Friday. Nealon, who watched his appeal hearing via a video link from Wakefield prison, said: "I wasn't expecting them to rule so quickly on my case – even my QC was expecting a three to four hour conference. The Crown only offered token resistance, the case must have been very strong."

Within a few hours of the verdict, at around 3.30pm, Nealon left Wakefield for the first time since 1997. He made his way on Saturday from Yorkshire to Worcester, near his former home, where he received assistance from people who had campaigned for his release.

He will give a first broadcast interview with the BBC on Monday morning, from the studios of BBC Hereford and Worcester. Nealon said he wanted to speak out to appeal for the original case, the assault in Redditch on a 22-year-old woman, to be reopened: "I want to show my support towards the victim. I want to make clear that the police should reopen this case. I think they owe her an explanation and justice as well."

He said the DNA evidence from traces on the victim's clothing from an unknown male were consistent with her account of the attack, so reopening investigations would be logical. No matches for the DNA samples have been found. The Criminal Cases Review Commission referred the case – highlighted since 2010 by the Guardian as a potential miscarriage of justice – to the court of appeal earlier this year.

Nealon will consult with solicitor Mark Newby, who spent five years trying to secure his release, over a potential bid for compensation. They hope for at least an interim payment to support him. "Obviously being thrown on the street with £46 in your pocket after 17 years isn't the ideal way forward," said Nealon.

Meanwhile John Hemming MP is planning to table an early day motion on issues raised by Nealon's case, including the denial of parole for prisoners who refuse to admit guilt.

Nealon was helped by well-wishers to stay in a B&B on Saturday and Sunday night, but long-term accommodation is still being sought.

Jarka_Ruus · 2014-01-01T20:59:44+00:00

He's only thinking of suing the police?!

GayManLoveIsOK · 2014-01-01T23:08:33+00:00

i would love to read the original notes on the case, so many questions would need to be answered to get a better idea of what went on...so they found other DNA on the blouse, does that mean his was nowhere to be found? how did the attempted rape of the girl put him at the scene in teh first place? did the woman single him out?...gah...

ruffthesuspect · 2014-01-02T05:56:49+00:00

man, at this point I'd like to see coverage of how DNA evidence reinforced convictions, no matter how vocal the opposition. (I'm curious, k?) This includes Jeffrey MacDonald

b1q · 2014-01-02T21:26:40+00:00

I wonder how long this system would last, if only a single woman was subjected to something like this by the legal system.

Dial_the_911 · 2014-01-02T05:06:38+00:00

These guys imo are the real victims more then anyone. Not to try and trivialize rape.. but compared to a rape victim this guy has had his entire life destroyed. Edited:Rape victims.. they can bask in their victim-hood get up move around freely and go on with their life, the perpetrator is ruined for life. This is how serious a charge of rape is. A fake accuser for whatever reason has done the worst crime because the greatest victim of this entire mess are the male victims of false accusers who did nothing, is a real injustice. Feminist deny they and belittle how much they even exist. edit2: the purpose of keeping false rape accusations low is to allow for default guilt assumption of the alleged perpetrator.

IcarusBurning · 2014-01-01T20:59:44+00:00

What does this have to do with MensRights?

Title	Postman spent 17 years in prison after wrongful conviction for attempted rape
Author	JohnKimble111
Upvotes	439
Comments	59
Date	January 1, 2014 7:31 PM UTC (12 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/mensrights/comments/1u698r/postman-spent-17-years-in-prison-after-wrongful-/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/postman-spent-17-years-in-prison-after-wrongful.1613449 https://theredarchive.com/post/1613449

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