'Impossible' to prove couple's Horizon scandal loss

Norman and Amanda Barber had to use £200,000 of their own money to try to balance the books

A couple who were wrongly convicted of stealing money from their Post Office have said it was "almost impossible" to prove the financial damage they suffered.

Amanda Barber and her husband Norman lost their home and business over a £5,600 deficit caused by the Horizon accounting system at their Thelwall Post Office in Warrington.

They received 12-month community orders, but said that even though their convictions were quashed they could not have their claim for compensation looked at individually because they were asked to provide evidence going back 15 years.

The couple said they had to accept a set £600,000 pay-out as a result.

More than 900 people were prosecuted and 236 were sent to prison as a reult of financial losses caused by the faulty Horizon computer system.

More than 900 people have been prosecuted and 236 were sent to prison in the Post Office scandal

Mrs Barber said: "We were being asked to produce evidence we simply couldn't get our hands on with regards to our losses as we are talking going back 15 years.

"We found it almost impossible to provide the details needed to go down the route of having our case individually assessed.

"It just didn't seem worth it."

The 55-year-old added: "It got to the stage where, when the £600,000 was offered, it seemed the best way to bring years of torture to an end."

She said that the couple had spent about £200,000 trying to balance the books during their time using the Horizon system.

One of the final reports into the Horizon scandal is due to be published on Tuesday.

But one law firm involved in representing people affected by it said it still had more than 700 compensation cases that needed to be resolved.

Solicitor Neil Hudgell said his firm had agreed damages for more than 300 people, totalling £170 million, but said the process had "far too much red tape to get through".

He said: "It has been retraumatising for many, and increasing numbers are sadly passing away without seeing redress."

In a statement, the Department for Business and Trade said: "We are grateful for the inquiry's work, which has revealed the immeasurable suffering that victims of the scandal have endured.

"This government has quadrupled the total amount paid to affected postmasters to provide them with full and fair redress, with more than £1 billion having now been paid to over 7,300 claimants."