HC Deb 20 July 1993 vol 229 cc191-2W
Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of possible miscarriages of justice have been reviewed in each of the past five years; and what decisions were taken in each case.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

In each of the past five years, my right hon. Friend has reviewed petitions alleging miscarriages of justice from or on behalf of the following numbers of persons convicted on indictment:

Number
1988 46
1989 60
1990 39
1991 54
1992 83

My right hon. Friend referred five of these cases to the High Court of Justiciary under section 263(1) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975. The outcome of the subsequent appeals was as follows:

Appeal
1988 Ernest Barrie Conviction quashed
1989 Graham Archer Marland Conviction quashed
1991 William Kilpatrick/ Christopher McEwen Appeals dismissed
1992 Stewart William Murray Dickson Conviction for culpable homicide substituted for conviction of murder