Suffolk man with learning difficulties mounts murder appeal

Oliver Campbell at the Royal Courts of Justice complex in London, where judges have begun considering an appeal against his 1991 conviction for murder

Appeal judges have heard the first stage of an appeal by a man with learning difficulties jailed for the murder of a shopkeeper more than 30 years ago.

Oliver Campbell, 53, who lives in Felixstowe, Suffolk, was given a life sentence in 1991 after being convicted of murdering Baldev Hoondle in London.

He was released on licence in 2002

Lawyers representing Campbell have told a Court of Appeal hearing in London that the conviction is "unsafe".

Forensic psychologist Prof Gisli Hannes Gudjonsson told three appeal judges there was a "high risk" Campbell's mental disabilities meant he had given a false confession as a form of "acquiescence" during "relentless" questioning.

He suggested Campbell had given police "what he thought they wanted" after Mr Hoondle died following an off-licence robbery in Hackney, east London, in 1990.

Campbell's case was referred to the appeal court by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Prosecutors are resisting the appeal and judges have adjourned the hearing.

Lord Justice Holroyde, Mrs Justice Stacey and Mr Justice Bourne are due to hear prosecution arguments at a later date.

Shopkeeper Baldev Hoondle, 42, was murdered in his London off-licence in July 1990

Campbell was 21 when he was convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob after a trial at the Old Bailey.

Campbell's co-defendant, Eric Samuels, was cleared of murder but jailed for five years after admitting robbery.

Michael Birnbaum KC, who is representing Campbell, told the appeal that Samuels - who is now dead - had told several people that Campbell was not the gunman.

He said that evidence was not presented to jurors at the original trial.

Mr Birnbaum said that officers may have "deliberately lied" to Campbell to adduce confessions.

'Innocent'

Campbell's case featured in a 2002 edition of the BBC television documentary Rough Justice, which pointed out a number of concerns about the case.

It highlighted the fact witnesses described two men who were about 5ft 10in (1.77m) or 5ft 11in (1.8m) as having been involved in the fatal robbery, when Campbell was 6ft 3in (1.9m) tall.

The programme also spoke to Samuel, who admitted being with the man who shot Mr Hoondle.

Samuel was recorded saying Campbell was innocent.