The **Post Office** is aggressively seeking to postpone the second landmark legal battle over the faulty **Capture accounting software** at the Court of Appeal. This move intensifies scrutiny as victims demand justice for one of Britain’s darkest miscarriages of justice.
Steve Marston’s Fight Against a Flawed Conviction
In 1998, **Steve Marston** was wrongfully convicted of theft at his branch, based solely on evidence from the defective Capture system. This software, which preceded the notorious **Horizon IT system**, has been linked to hundreds of wrongful convictions, shaking the British legal system to its core.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) referred Marston’s case back to the Court of Appeal, citing his prosecution as an “abuse of process.” Yet, the Post Office now requests a two-month extension before responding formally to this appeal—fueling frustration among victims and advocates.
Damning Evidence Unearthed
Last year, a **Sky News investigation** uncovered a critical, long-lost document revealing that the Capture system regularly produced “absurd gibberish,” undermining its reliability as evidence. This document is central to Marston’s appeal and also features in the first Capture case to reach the Court of Appeal—**Pat Owen’s** case.
Pat Owen, convicted in 1998 and deceased several years later, faced similar delays when the Post Office requested an extension just before Christmas last year. These repeated postponements signal an ongoing resistance to accountability.
Victims Condemn Post Office’s Tactics
Steve Marston expressed deep disappointment, accusing the Post Office of prioritizing its reputation over truth and justice. “They are determined to protect their brand at all costs despite overwhelming proof of faulty Capture software,” he said.
Marston added, “They seem to be grasping at straws to discredit innocent victims instead of owning up to their role in this scandal. Shame on them.”
Government Acknowledges Faults, Post Office Responds
The UK government has admitted the Capture system’s faults and begun compensating victims who escaped conviction. A Post Office spokesperson acknowledged Marston’s frustration and expressed regret for the distress caused by the delay in proceedings.
“We want all unsafe convictions overturned,” the spokesperson stated. “We will continue to ensure appeals are handled lawfully and transparently.”
They also explained the need for additional searches prompted by new information from Marston and the CCRC. The CCRC’s Statement of Reasons highlighted that the referral proceeded without access to complete case files and evidence, complicating the Post Office’s response.
“We are committed to filing our Respondents Notice by the newly proposed deadline,” the spokesperson confirmed.
