This item was first published on FACTs website on 4th November 2004
JUDGE FOR YOURSELF
HOW MANY ARE INNOCENT – LOCAL AUTHOR’S GUIDE TO THE BRITISH LEGAL SYSTEM’S APPALLING NUMBER OF MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE PROVES TO BE A STARTLING REVELATION
Launch party & signing: 11th November 2004, 5pm onwards
Hammicks Book Shop, 191-193 Fleet St. London
Paddy Joe Hill (Birmingham 6), Paul Blackburn & Michael Mansfield QC in attendance
Monday 1ST November 2004: Roots Books, a UK publishing house dedicated to documenting the political and social aspects of injustice in Britain is proud to announce the release of London writer, L A Naylor’s debut book Judge for Yourself. Guest speakers at this special launch event will also include Michael Mansfield QC, Paddy Joe Hill and Paul Blackburn who was locked up when a child of 15 years old, for 25 years. Blackburn has always denied guilt of the attempted murder for which he was convicted. The Criminal Cases Review Commission has just referred his case back to the Court of Appeal.
On this day the Court of Appeal will also hear an appeal against the conviction of Graham Huckerby, who was convicted of being the inside man in a major Securicor robbery in Salford, Manchester in 1995. The case - by bizarre coincidence - was the first Jill Dando featured during her time on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme.
Huckerby and his co-accused, Shay Power, were both sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for their involvement in the biggest theft of cash in transit since the great train robbery of 1963. Graham Huckerby is included in a significant list of alleged miscarriage of justice victims in the book. Strong, fresh psychological evidence has been presented to the Court of Appeal - if Huckerby wins then it will clearly demonstrate how the criminal justice system can sometimes punish the victims of crime, whilst letting the offender go free.
This well researched layperson’s guide to the British legal system’s appalling number of miscarriages of justice proves to be a startling revelation. Even more interestingly, it is an exploration of how such mistakes are allowed to continue and how, despite a blatant lack of evidence against them, many people have been and still are languishing in jail for crimes they did not commit.
‘Perhaps the strongest message to emerge is that there is no peace without justice. Anyone interested in Britain, social justice and human resilience should read this book.’ Simon Hattenstone, the Guardian.
‘What this timely book demonstrates with telling clarity is that the risk of miscarriage has not diminished and that the human cost involved is incalculable.’ Michael Mansfield QC
‘The public still don’t understand just how easy it is to be put in prison for a crime you didn’t commit. It could happen to anyone. Anyone interested in truth, law and justice should read this book.’ Paddy Joe Hill, Birmingham 6
‘A well written polemic that pulls no punches.’ Dr. Michael Naughton, Bristol University
For interviews with the author, directions and further information visit website: or email:
Launch details:
11th November 2004, 5pm, Hammicks Book Shop, 191-193 Fleet St. London.
Tel: 07903 458703