A former Scottish sub-postmaster who tried to take his personal life after being convicted within the Post Office scandal has informed Sky News he has no religion in authorities plans to pardon victims.
Rab Thomson, who lives in Clackmannanshire, is one in every of round 100 folks in Scotland wrongfully given a legal document after bogus shortfalls appeared within the defective Horizon IT system.
Prosecutions north of the border have been managed by Scotland’s impartial public prosecution service, the Crown Office, versus inner legal investigations led by the Post Office in England and Wales.
Four folks have had their convictions quashed in Scotland up to now.
Read extra tales from victims of the scandal
The 64-year-old informed Sky News that hassle began brewing within the yr 2000 when the newly put in IT system started producing obvious shortfalls.
The father of two mentioned: “As the time went on, it kept going up and up to £10,000, £15,000, up to £60,000. Panic set in.”
He mentioned he tried to take his personal life, including: “I came and told my wife that I was finished. I said ‘I can’t live with this’. Depression is a really serious thing.”
He says when his case got here to court docket he was informed to admit to the allegations minutes earlier than showing in entrance of the decide to make life “easier” for his household.
“I said: ‘No, no, no. I don’t want to plead guilty. I’ve not done anything wrong. I’ve told you this from day one.'”
‘It’s disgusting’
It has emerged the Crown Office first turned conscious of doable issues across the reliability of Horizon in 2013 however it didn’t halt instances based mostly on proof from the system till 2015.
Louise Dar started operating her native Post Office in Lenzie on the outskirts of Glasgow in 2014.
The former sub-postmistress misplaced every part after being hounded over claims she had stolen £44,000.
The 41-year-old was by no means convicted and informed Sky News she believes that’s as a result of the Crown Office knew the Horizon system was flawed.
Ms Dar, who’s looking for compensation, nonetheless needed to pay again each penny and has racked up money owed that she and her household are nonetheless tackling in the present day.
She mentioned: “They must have known. It’s disgusting. We sold our car to help things.
“We have been simply fortunate we had household which have supported us. My husband and I’ve simply battled by way of all of it, and we’re nonetheless combating to get there”.
The scandal dominated discussion at the Scottish parliament on Thursday with First Minister Humza Yousaf reaffirming his commitment to exonerate victims in a joined-up UK-wide approach with Rishi Sunak.
The issue remains a devolved matter and would require a “legislative consent movement” to grant Westminster permission to go any laws.
Read extra:
What is the Post Office scandal?
Investigators ‘supplied bonuses’ to prosecute sub-postmasters
Battling for vindication
Mr Thomson continues to be combating to clear his identify. The former sub-postmaster is due in court docket on Friday for a listening to in his long-running quest to overturn his conviction.
He mentioned: “I was at the doctor’s yesterday and they have upped my tablets again because I’m getting thoughts of it all.
“I’m getting ideas as a result of the stress is actually mounting on me now, particularly with the federal government popping out and saying that they will look into and overturn them.
“But I’ve still got to go to court. Until we get an answer to say everything’s abolished, I’ve got to live with it. I’m still under that pressure.”
The head of the Crown Office, the Lord Advocate, is in talks to look in entrance of MSPs in Holyrood to make an announcement on the scandal.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can name Samaritans for assistance on 116 123 or electronic mail [email protected] within the UK. In the US, name the Samaritans department in your space or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Source: information.sky.com”