Exclusive: Post Office Murder Scandal Sees Major Development with Bombshell Details
In a significant development within the ongoing Post Office scandal, newly released documents from an official inquiry have unveiled crucial details about a murder case involving a former postmaster. Robin Garbutt, now 60, was found guilty in 2011 of murdering his wife Diana, who was discovered bludgeoned to death at their post office in Melsonby, North Yorkshire, on March 23, 2010.
Flawed Data and Internal Knowledge
The inquiry has revealed that the Post Office was aware of serious issues with evidence used against Garbutt months before his court appearance. An internal email from July 2, 2010, highlighted "duplication of Transaction records in ARQ returns" – referring to Audit Record Query data, a database log of all transactions. This email explicitly listed Melsonby among offices potentially affected, indicating the murder investigation was already underway.
Post Office data experts knew the system wasn't operating correctly, yet this flawed information was frequently used to generate "expert witness" statements in criminal cases against postmasters. The email chain, not fully released until August 20, 2025, shows concerns about cases including West Byfleet and Porters Avenue, with requests to confirm what information had been presented to courts.
Impact on the Murder Trial
Garbutt's legal team argues that questions about transactions during his trial were based on this unreliable Post Office data, meaning he could not have received a fair trial. Experts on the Post Office IT system support this view, suggesting the prosecution's case was compromised from the outset.
Despite this, the Criminal Cases Review Commission has not previously considered computer evidence serious enough to deem the murder prosecution unsafe. A spokesperson stated: "Whilst I can confirm that an application was received from Mr Garbutt and that a review is ongoing, we do not give operational detail about investigations."
Family Divisions and Appeals for Justice
The case has created deep divisions within the family. Diana Garbutt's mother, Agnes Gaylor, maintains justice was served, saying of efforts to free Garbutt: "It’s obvious to anyone that Robin is taking advantage of the Horizon scandal to gain publicity. I don’t believe he is going to get away with it."
Meanwhile, Garbutt has written an impassioned plea to the Criminal Cases Review Commission chair, Dame Vera Baird, asking for assistance in his fight for truth. He describes his conviction as a "terrible miscarriage of justice" and argues the case against him was based on circumstantial evidence.
In his letter, Garbutt highlights several points from his trial:
- The murder weapon had none of his DNA
- Police lost a clump of hair found next to Diana
- A reliable witness placed Diana alive at 6:45 AM
- He had an alibi from 4:30 AM with witnesses placing him in the shop
He contends that if the Post Office had not withheld vital evidence at trial, he would have been able to defend himself properly. Garbutt also notes that at least one Post Office witness in his case has been involved in other now-quashed miscarriages of justice.
Broader Context of the Post Office Scandal
This development comes amid the wider Horizon scandal, where hundreds of postmasters were wrongly prosecuted based on faulty data from the Post Office's IT system. The revelation that similar issues may have affected a murder trial represents a significant escalation of the scandal's implications.
Garbutt's case raises serious questions about how many other criminal convictions might have been influenced by flawed Post Office data, extending beyond financial crimes to potentially include violent offenses. The ongoing inquiry continues to uncover documents that challenge the integrity of numerous prosecutions.
As the review of Garbutt's case continues, this latest evidence adds weight to calls for a comprehensive re-examination of all convictions involving Post Office data, regardless of the severity of the alleged crimes.
