PA MediaA person who served 17 years in jail for a rape he didn’t dedicate says he used to be “shaking” when his attorney instructed him he had gained the primary a part of a reimbursement fee.
Andrew Malkinson had his conviction quashed in 2023 after years protesting his innocence, however has waited since then for reimbursement from the Ministry of Justice.
The 59-year-old, who used to be a safety guard operating in Salford sooner than his arrest, used to be wrongly convicted in 2004 and probabilities to loose him have been time and again neglected, resulting in one of the most worst miscarriages of justice in UK criminal historical past.
Mr Malkinson mentioned he “would hesitate to mention that I’m thankful… however I’m relieved the Ministry of Justice has in spite of everything completed the appropriate factor to raise me out of limbo with this meantime fee”.
The quantity of reimbursement has now not been printed however The Mum or dad reported he’s going to obtain a “vital” six-figure sum as an meantime fee this week.
Mr Malkinson mentioned his “arms have been shaking” after his attorney broke the scoop to him.
“I needed to opt for a stroll to take a look at to soak up that I’ve in spite of everything reached this milestone,” he mentioned.
He added extra had to be completed to make the reimbursement scheme “have compatibility for function”.
“No person must have to attend this lengthy so to begin to rebuild their existence, and too many blameless persons are being denied reimbursement altogether.”
‘He’s handiest simply beginning to rebuild his existence’
Mr Malkinson mentioned the £1m cap on reimbursement payouts for individuals who were in prison for greater than 10 years must be lifted.
“The ridiculous 2008 reimbursement cap which hasn’t higher with inflation must be lifted, and other folks must mechanically be accredited directly to the scheme if their convictions are quashed,” he mentioned.
Toby Wilton from Mr Malkinson’s criminal staff mentioned: “Andy Malkinson’s existence used to be shattered when he used to be despatched to jail for greater than 17 years for a criminal offense he didn’t dedicate. He’s handiest now beginning to rebuild it.
“The federal government must raise the present cap on reimbursement, and finish the twisted quirk that while awards beneath different reimbursement schemes are excluded from evaluation for advantages, Andy now faces the danger of shedding his social housing flat simply because he has been awarded this cash.”
It used to be in the past reported that Mr Malkinson used to be suffering to live on on advantages and needed to flip to meals banks.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood mentioned: “Andrew Malkinson suffered an atrocious miscarriage of justice, and we now have issued an meantime fee so he can start to rebuild his existence.
“We’re actively taking into consideration the worries he has raised to make sure we’re successfully supporting people who have suffered a miscarriage of justice.”
